Council warns care firms it will 'take action' over reports of staff mistreatment

Salford council has warned care firms in the city that it will 'take action' if staff are being mistreated.

It comes after reports that sponsored care workers are facing problems with their salaries and contracted hours.

Sponsored staff are employees from abroad who have been granted a visa to work in the health and social care sector.

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The scheme was initially brought in to cope with staff shortages in the UK’s healthcare system.

But some care firms in Salford have faced claims of poor working conditions.

In June, a care firm in Salford apologised to its staff after claims that workers were threatened with being 'sent back to their country' for raising concerns.

While in January, care workers at Laburnum Court in Broughton held a protest over claims that they had been underpaid, organised with support from trade union Salford City Unison.

Salford council said care workers have contacted them anonymously with concerns about how they are being treated, and are worried about "repercussions from their employer."

A joint letter from Salford council and the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust has been sent to chief officers of all care providers who hold an International Recruitment Licence and operate in Salford.

This urges care providers in Salford to adhere to the department of Health and Social Care's code of practice for international care workers.

The council said it will be investigating workers' treatment and may ask care providers to share evidence of rotas, pay, and shift lengths.

The joint letter called for all providers to comply with a standard of conditions for care workers, including:

It states: 'Salford City Council and the Northern Care