Migrants face pandemic in a ‘hostile environment’

Vulnerable undocumented migrants have been “overrepresented” in jobs on the frontline of the Covid crisis, increasing their exposure to Covid, says a recent report from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI).

Undocumented migrants are unable to access employment protections and rights needed to keep them safe if they become sick, and lose jobs or experience exploitative treatment at work, says the study, We also want to be safe: undocumented migrants facing Covid in a hostile environment.

The report sets out how “hostile environment” policies have exacerbated the effects of the Covid crisis for undocumented people’s employment, housing, healthcare and financial security.

For example, “right to work” checks — which employers must undertake to prevent illegal working in the UK by carrying out document checks on people before employing them — mean many are forced into unsafe and exploitative work.

As a result, undocumented migrants who remained in employment during the pandemic have been likely to work in places with “inadequate health and safety and Covid protection measures” such as personal protective equipment, ventilation, social distancing and access to sick pay.

Among its recommendations, the report says the government must abolish “the offence of illegal working and introduce a work permit system allowing lawful residence based on lawful employment”.

https://www.jcwi.org.uk/we-also-want-to-be-safe-report