Post-Brexit Immigration System Worsens Conditions for Foreign Workers in Key UK Sectors, Report Finds

A new report by the U.K.-based charity Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) has highlighted how the post-Brexit immigration system has exacerbated challenges faced by foreign workers in sectors like hospitality, care, and agriculture. The findings raise concerns over rising exploitation risks, recruitment difficulties, and declining standards of care for vulnerable populations in the U.K.

The hospitality, agriculture, and care sectors, which have long relied on foreign labor due to their low pay, long hours, and tough conditions, have been particularly impacted. While the free movement of European workers once helped fill these positions, Brexit effectively ended that access, leaving employers struggling to recruit workers.

In response to expected labor shortages, the U.K. government introduced immigration reforms aimed at attracting ‘higher-skilled’ migrants, often sidelining those working in lower-paid sectors. Although roles in short-supply were added to a labor shortage list and a visa for temporary seasonal workers was introduced, additional restrictions have made it difficult for employers to hire and retain foreign labor. For example, salary requirements for visa eligibility were significantly increased, alongside other fees and restrictions.

The current visa system, which involves high costs for both workers and employers, has placed additional pressure on these sectors. Migrant workers not only face hefty visa fees but must also pay into the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS), while employers are burdened with sponsoring licenses and surcharges that can reach thousands of dollars per worker. On top of these financial barriers, administrative hurdles and restrictive visa conditions tie workers to their employers, preventing them from switching jobs easily or accessing state support if they lose their employment.

The FLEX report specifically focuses on the agriculture, hospitality, and care sectors, revealing that these industries are at risk of a downward spiral due to rising labor costs and administrative challenges. Employers are forced to cut corners, leading to fewer workers, longer hours, and heightened stress for those who remain. In smaller organizations, particularly in hospitality and care, these pressures are felt more acutely, with many employers reporting they are unsure how long their businesses can survive under the current system.

One farmer interviewed by FLEX described the growing risk of exploitation, stating, “We’ve opened up more avenues for exploitation, in all honesty.” The care sector, where workers often face grueling hours with minimal breaks, has seen a direct impact on the quality of care provided to vulnerable individuals. For example, the report mentions the rise of “visiting homecare,” where caregivers are tasked with looking after multiple clients, sometimes given as little as 15 minutes per visit. As one care provider commented, “How do you support someone who is very vulnerable… in 15 minutes?”

The agricultural and hospitality sectors are similarly grappling with the high costs and complexities of the visa system. One agricultural producer expressed concerns over labor shortages, suggesting that he may have to stop growing labor-intensive crops and focus on less demanding ones like cereals. Another hospitality industry figure warned that the minimum salary threshold could threaten the survival of restaurants dependent on foreign chefs.

The FLEX report offers several recommendations to the U.K. government, including the expansion of visa pathways, reducing administrative burdens and fees, better enforcement of labor rights, and granting foreign workers improved access to welfare support. It also calls for the banning of ‘repayment clauses’ in sponsored work contracts, which can further exploit vulnerable workers.

In response, a government spokesperson stated: “The welfare of visa holders is of paramount importance, and we are clamping down on poor working conditions and exploitation.” The spokesperson added that immigration benefits the U.K., but it must be controlled through a fair system that also focuses on training the domestic workforce to address skills shortages.

The report underscores the challenges faced by sectors that heavily rely on migrant labor and highlights the need for reforms to ensure better working conditions and support for both workers and employers in a post-Brexit U.K.