Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Indian migrant workers in the health and social care sector are paid at least the national minimum wage by recruitment agencies.

For the Skilled Worker route, which includes health and care roles, international recruits must be paid at least the required minimum salary of £20,960 and £10.75 per hour, whichever is higher. The minimum salary is based on a 37.5-hour week but will need to be higher if the individual is contracted to work more hours. Failure to pay international staff the minimum salary requirement is in breach of United Kingdom immigration law. Illegal employment practices should be reported to the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority who will investigate fully.

All employers of international health and care staff must follow the Code of Practice for the international recruitment of health and social care personnel in England to make sure staff are recruited ethically and are treated with respect. The code is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/code-of-practice-for-the-international-recruitment-of-health-and-social-care-personnel/code-of-practice-for-the-international-recruitment-of-health-and-social-care-personnel-in-england

Providers should only engage with agencies and other recruiting organisations that are on the Ethical Recruiters List, which is available at the following link:

https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/ethical-recruiters-list

Organisations on this list have committed to adhering to the Code of Practice.

The Home Office’s sponsor licence system places clear and binding requirements and obligations on employers looking to recruit and manage overseas workers. Sponsors are monitored to ensure that workers are paid appropriately. This includes regular checks with HM Revenue & Customs. Any discrepancies found are investigated and, if appropriate, action is taken against the sponsor.