Care firm is accused of exploiting migrants

BUT IT DENIES ASKING STAFF TO WORK FOR FREE AND THREATS TO 'SEND BACK' THOSE WHO COMPLAIN

- DECLAN CAREY

A CARE firm in Salford has been accused of exploiting migrant workers.

Sources including a former member of staff, Salford City Unison and a Salford councillor have claimed there are poor working conditions at Dementia Care and Support at Home Limited.

This includes a claim that migrant workers have been told they will be 'sent back to their country' if they complain about how they are being treated.

The allegations concern staff living in the UK with Health and Care Worker visas. If a migrant worker who has the visa loses their job, they can be told by the Home Office to find a new role within 60 days or have to leave the country.

The company has denied the claim, but it apologised to all of its staff if 'anything stated to them has been construed in this way. It stated that not one overseas contract has been cancelled by the company in the two plus years it has had a sponsor licence.

Dementia Care and Support at Home provides care services to people with dementia within their own homes.

The M.E.N. understands that the firm has a contract Steve Nor Salford Ci with the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust to provide care services in Salford.

The trust was asked if it was aware of the claims about care workers being exploited, but it has not provided a statement responding to the allegations. Salford council also has responsibility under the Care Act in providing publicly funded social care.

The council has told the firm to make improvements or face losing support for its contract.

A town hall spokesperson said: "The management at the care company has three months to make changes or we will consider our position. We have been absolutely clear with them that improvement needs to be made.