Migrant workers and the resilience of the long-term care sector in England

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and the related government restrictions on travel in spring 2020 have led to a substantial labour market shock. As in other countries, long-term care (LTC) services in England were declared ‘essential’ and care staff designated as ‘key workers’ and exempted from mobility restrictions. Nevertheless, the provision of care services was severely affected. Some care workers had to self-isolate due to either infection or fear of infection with COVID-191, while others were unable to return to work from holidays or family visits abroad. All these issues led to a decrease in labour supply in a sector that was already facing longstanding problems of high staff turnover (30 per cent) and job vacancies (7 per cent)2. High turnover and vacancies are generally assumed to be related to low pay levels (often at minimum wage)3, lack of social and professional status, limited opportunities for career progression, and employment on casual contracts with no guaranteed hours and limited employment rights.4 At the same time, local markets saw a surplus of workers due to lost jobs in other sectors, particularly in retail and hospitality, during the pandemic.