PH Embassy in London issues advisory for senior care workers

DFA Advisory
November 3, 2011

The Philippine Embassy in London wishes to remind Filipino senior care workers that current British immigration guidelines require a minimum hourly wage of £7.02 for migrant senior care workers.

In 2008 and through efforts exerted by a multi-sectoral group, including the embassy, the British Government accommodated the request that the hourly wage rate of £7.02 would not be applied to senior care workers who started working in the United Kingdom (UK) prior to December 31, 2003.

This accommodation allowed these senior care workers to be eligible to apply for, and be granted with, an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR/Settlement visas) upon complying with the requirements and regulations of British immigration.

All migrant senior care workers arriving in the UK after December 31, 2003 are required to comply with the minimum hourly wage of £7.02.

When an application for an ILR is submitted by a migrant senior care worker, it is important that the supporting documents should show that he/she is receiving the required £7.02 hourly rate.

Those whose hourly wages fall below the minimum rate may find their ILR application deferred or denied.

In case of deferment or rejection, Filipino senior care workers are encouraged to contact a reputable immigration consultant or labor union who would be able to provide guidance on the process of requesting reconsideration of the denial.