New data shows that the past three years have seen a six-fold increase in the number of care workers being exploited by “rogue employers”.

This comes via the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), which said that in 2020/21 its advice team handled 22 calls from members about repayment clauses. This figure increased to 134 in 2023/24. This included 17 calls by members in May 2024 alone, the highest total in a single month.

The RCN said it is calling on the UK government to launch an urgent investigation, adding that current Home Secretary Yvette Cooper promised an investigation during the general election campaign.

The RCN added that clauses are being used by employers to demand thousands of pounds from migrant care workers, leaving staff unable to leave their jobs and trapped in “appalling conditions” years after they were first hired. Rather than recouping hiring costs, the clauses are allegedly being used to extort money from low-paid migrants.

One care worker reported to the RCN that they’ve been suffering severe bullying and harassment but are unable to leave their role as they would be expected to pay £10,000 – despite no specific figure of repayment being originally included in their contract.

Another care worker allegedly contacted the RCN after they resigned from their employer – partly due to being assaulted and racially abused at their workplace – and was then told they owed over £3,000 for visa costs, while another had their employment immediately terminated after they reported to their employer that they had tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the member is said to have faced a large repayment fee with no job or income.

RCN general secretary and chief executive Nicola Ranger said: “Rogue employers appear to be forcing migrants to pay thousands of pounds just to leave jobs and threatening them with deportation. Those who come to the UK to care for the vulnerable deserve so much better than this exploitation.

“Sadly, we know the surge in exploitation cases being reported to the RCN is only the tip of the iceberg. Migrant workers are routinely intimidated and left fearful of speaking out, even having their passports withheld. They are also much less likely to be members of trade unions.

“The exploitation being allowed to spread is deeply inhumane and undermines the entire social care sector. Faced with our evidence, ministers were right to commit to an investigation during the election campaign and this must now happen with urgency. Lives are being destroyed every day and this cannot wait. We need action to protect our migrant care workers and raise standards in the sector.”