The Guardian reports that one in five care workers in England are now men, marking the highest level on record. This shift is largely attributed to immigration, which has helped alleviate the social care staffing crisis.
Over the past two years, 185,000 international recruits from 130 different nationalities have joined the workforce, offsetting a decline of 70,000 British workers. Countries like Nigeria, India, and Zimbabwe have been key sources of recruits. The care worker vacancy rate has dropped from 10.6% to 8.3%, thanks to international recruitment.
However, concerns remain over low wages, with care workers earning an average of £11.58 per hour, just slightly above the national minimum wage. The GMB union is calling for fair pay agreements, and Labour’s upcoming employment rights bill is expected to address these concerns.
Experts warn that international recruitment alone is not a sustainable solution, and more needs to be done to retain British workers in the sector by improving pay and working conditions.
Source: The Guardian, Thu 10 Oct 2024