PAWA is a workers association for African workers aimed at improving working conditions and work possibilities in the UK.

The PAWA story ->

We are building our association. If you are an African worker and want to get help with working conditions, government regulations or just want to make friends with some fellow comrades, please get in touch.

– Click here to get in contact –

PAWA is currently focused on migrant care workers who provide critical care to vulnerable communities across the UK. We come together to understand our rights, the visa process, and resist exploitation by predatory employers and policy.

STORIES OF CARE WORKER EXPLOITATION

“I paid 5k to a healthcare recruiter in the UK. When I got my visa and came to the UK to work, the recruiter just ignored my calls. That’s my story. I’m in Cheshunt- Hertfordshire, I came with my 3 yr old”

“I came here in March without knowing that I was pregnant. When I found out I thought I was doing the right thing to tell my employer. They dismissed me.”

“I am a permanent worker doing domiciliary care on a sponsorship visa. The problem is since I joined the company I have never got paid the basic salary nor the 39 hrs agreed in the contract. Payslips are not transparent and change every month. Pay dates are not regular. Mileage for transport is not paid well. They refuse to give us references for the hours we have worked so we can look to other companies. They allocate me work during my lunch break. I get emails that they have overpaid us without any explanation or advanced notice and they just unexpectedly deduct money from my small wages”

“I work in domiciliary care and have been with the company for 6 months. Monday my car broke down in the middle of calls. They gave me 48 hours to make sure my car is working or my visa sponsorship is terminated for failing to meet contractual hours”

“My employer asked me again today to go for a 45 min shift but it barely covers the transport costs of getting there”

“I paid $5200 to the agency and they don’t have enough hours. They said things will improve. It’s now 3 months. How am I meant to survive on 8 hours a week in the UK?”