UNISON delegates highlighted the crucial role played by migrant workers in the care sector today and called on the union to press for new laws to support “ethical” immigration policies.

South West delegate Adekunle Akinola said: “Migrant workers are having to often work 60 hours a week.

“What we are seeing ticks all the boxes of modern day slavery.”

He told conference that a Certificate of Common Sponsorship was needed so migrant workers could move across different employers, rather than being tied to one.

Yorkshire delegate Pam Sian called migrant workers the “backbone of the health and social care system.

“These workers deserve the same rights and protection of all other workers.”

Linda Hobson from the Northern region said she had heard many reports of migrant workers having to share rooms in terrible accommodation and locked in a “relentless cycle of exploitation.”

She added: “We will not permit the enslavement of any of our members to continue. We are putting employers on notice.”

North West region delegate Glen Williams said: “I can't imagine what it's like not being able to speak out.

“"I can’t imagine not being able to speak out if I had been raped just so I could keep my visa.

“I can't imagine what I would have felt when I heard Britain is becoming an island of strangers.”

Mr Williams added: “Let’s start to make a real difference in our support for migrant workers.

“We can make a real difference. They need support not threats.

“No more attacks on migrant workers.”

James Minto, on behalf of the national executive council, said the breadth of this motion reflects the work across our entire union.

He said: “Migrant workers are determined to speak and challenge injustice where it comes up.”

Mr Minto said that a sector-wide sponsorship scheme was needed so workers can move from one employer to another.

“We need reform to support ethical immigration policies to free migrant workers from enslavement and exploitation.” 

He added: “Migrant workers are not waiting to be rescued. They need the support of their union.”

And in a powerful contribution, South West delegate Lydia Kabute told the conference: “I speak as a migrant worker.

“Migrant workers are being exploited. Many of us receive real wages of less than £4 an hour.

“This is modern-day slavery and is happening in our care sector.”

She insisted: “We cannot be bystanders. If we say we are anti-racist then we must act.”