THE work visa system is leaving social care workers in “bonded labour,” facing racism and exploitation, and must be reformed, Unison Scotland demanded today.

The call came from Scotland’s largest public-sector union after a survey of 600 people working in social care companies across the country found 45 per cent said their employer treated migrant workers worse than their non-migrant colleagues.

Of those who had come from overseas, 45 per cent say they had experienced racism from colleagues or service users and their families, and 53 per cent of those who had been on the receiving end of it did not report it for fear of the consequences.

One consequence could be to their immigration status, with the present visa system empowering employers as sponsors, leaving workers tied to them despite 73 per cent wanting to move on.

The system also has a chilling effect on reporting issues with workplace conditions, with 34 per cent feeling unable to report them for fear of it affecting their immigration status, and 21 per cent saying they cannot turn down overtime or extra shifts, even at short notice.

Unison Scotland social care lead Jennifer McCarey said: “This damning report shows that workers from overseas are trapped working for the one employer. This makes them the target of racism and exploitation by social care companies.

“Workers don’t feel they can speak out because their employer has power over their right to stay in the country. It’s a form of bonded labour.”

Ms McCarey said that major reforms of the current sponsorship system are “needed urgently,” adding: “A sector-wide scheme is needed to put an end to employers threatening care workers with deportation if they whistle blow.”

The Home Office was contacted for comment.