Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, is due to meet some union leaders today to discuss with them her plans for indefinite leave to remain. Andrea Egan, who as Unison general secretary has many members working in the care sector, has been particularly critical of the original proposal to make foreign care workers wait 15 years for ILR. Recently she condemned Mahmood for refusing to let her bring a care worker to a meeting they were due to have about the plans.
That care worker was a Nigerian called Kolade. Aamna Mohdin has interviewed him, and he explained what he wanted to tell Mahmood. For Kolade, the row encapsulates what he believes is missing from the immigration debate: the voices of those whose lives could be upended by its policies.
He has watched politicians dismiss care work as low-skilled and portray migrant workers as a burden on the British economy. We are also contributing as much as we can, supporting British families. I was going to tell her that caring for British families is our own little way to show that we are contributing, and that we have earned our rights to stay in this country, a place we’re currently calling home.”
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