UK migrants in Liverpool protest 15-year permanent residence plan by singing Nigerian singer Asa’s ‘Jailer’

Foreign health and public service workers recently gathered in Liverpool to demonstrate against proposed changes to the UK's settlement rules.

• Over 400 foreign health and public service workers protested in Liverpool against plans to extend the UK settlement period.
• The demonstration, led by UNISON during the Labour Party conference, featured symbolic chains and singing.
• The proposed policy affects many care workers from countries like Nigeria, India, and Zimbabwe.
• UNISON argues that tying workers to a single employer through current visa rules increases their risk of workplace abuse.

Organised by the trade union UNISON during the Labour Party conference, more than 400 demonstrators protested plans to lengthen the pathway for permanent residence from five years to 15 years.

To express their frustration, participants wore symbolic chains and sang 'Jailer', a famous 2007 song by Nigerian musician Asa.

According to UNISON, the track was selected because it focuses on themes of "oppression, power and refusing to accept being treated as a prisoner".

Policy creates uncertainty for care workers from the UK, Nigeria, India, and Zimbabwe

The demonstration was launched as part of UNISON's Fair Visa Campaign to stop Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's proposed policy shift.

Under the new outline, public sector staff including National Health Service (NHS) and social care employees must complete 15 years of residency before applying for permanent settlement.

The union warned that existing visa arrangements already tie many workers directly to single employers, which increases their risk of workplace abuse.

Criticising the plan, UNISON General Secretary Andrea Egan stated that "the NHS, social care and other essential services rely on the hard work of migrant staff".

She further argued that the policy substitutes a fair five-year route with "the threat of 15 years of insecurity and exploitation".

This policy debate holds significant importance for several foreign nations whose citizens fill crucial labor shortages across Britain.

Official figures from the UK Home Office reveal that 18,143 Nigerian nationals obtained care worker visas in 2023 alone.

Together, workers from Nigeria, India, and Zimbabwe accounted for 58% of all visas issued for care workers and home careers during that same year.

UNISON is urging the government to retain the standard five-year settlement track and introduce sector-wide sponsorship to safeguard international employees against potential exploitation.