Migrant Care Worker Speaks Out on Contributions and Challenges
I provide care for elderly individuals, including your parents and grandparents, whom you cherish deeply. I offer solace during their moments of fear, hold their hands through trembling times, and provide comfort during the silent hours of the night. It is my mission to assist them in regaining mobility, appetite, and a sense of humanity.
Often, I am the one who brings a smile to their faces after weeks of solemnity. Every day, I dedicate a part of myself to those under my care because they deserve respect, empathy, and affection.
As a migrant care worker, I take immense pride in the work I do. It is not just a job description; it is an intrinsic part of who I am. Arriving in the UK as an asylum seeker seeking safety and a fresh start, I found purpose in caring for others. The gratitude and genuine appreciation from the individuals and families I help have given me strength and direction.
However, there are times when I feel unseen by the nation I serve. Despite working long hours to the point of exhaustion and fulfilling my tax obligations like any other citizen, I occasionally hear derogatory remarks labeling workers like me as “burdens” or even “strangers.”
I begin my day before dawn to ensure someone’s mother is washed, dressed, and comfortable. I extend my shifts so families can go to their jobs knowing their loved ones are secure. I fill roles that others are not stepping up to take, keeping care facilities and hospitals operational.
The absence of migrant carers would create a significant disruption in the system, affecting millions of lives. The recent proposal to delay the application for Indefinite Leave to Remain for up to 15 years has stirred a deep sense of disappointment within me.
Fifteen years of dedication, sacrifice, and loyalty, yet the prospect of not being fully accepted remains. We are not seeking preferential treatment or accolades; all we ask for is fairness and humanity. How can we be labeled burdens when we carry such weight and provide essential support to many?
My desire is not to feel like a transient visitor in the place where I devote my days to serving others wholeheartedly. I seek stability, respect, and the opportunity to build a future without enduring decades of waiting for trust and recognition.
To the UK, I convey this heartfelt message: we are not here to take but to give, a sentiment we have upheld since our arrival. My only wish is for the country I care for to reciprocate that care and consideration one day.
