What is a union?

A union is a partnership, an agreement between workers, to stick together, to protect each other and to win change. A union provides us with a vehicle, an organisation, to stand up together and fight for change. A union means we have legal protection for our campaigns, but more importantly we have strength in numbers. A union means we don’t have to take big risks and reinvent the wheel, because we can pass on the collective experience of past struggles and victories through our training and organisers.

What union do you recommend I join?

PAWA have partnered with the IWW which helped us setup this initiative. We therefore recommend people to join the IWW in part because membership costs as little as £1 per month. You can follow these instructions to join by clicking here. That said, feel free to join as many unions of your choice as you like and be active in them. Joining a union is not buying a service. You join a union to become part of a movement aimed at making the lives of workers better.

How does PAWA help me?

You can meet people facing similar conditions from across the UK. Be supported in learning what your rights are and how to use them. Become part of movement to fight against injustice.

How can I help PAWA?

Train to become a union representative to build PAWA. Bring your ideas and skills for actions and projects. Build a movement to fight against injustice.

Where can I find out information about UK government services? And apply for documents, certificates etc.

https://www.gov.uk/

Where can I find the link to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa?

https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa

Where can I get independent and confidential advice to assist me with legal, debt, consumer, housing and other problems in the UK?

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

What are the types of contracts that one can sign in the UK?

Generally for the purpose of Healthcare CoS, you sign an employment contract. Generally speaking (unrelated to CoS), there are permanent, fixed-term, and part-time contracts.

What conditions does the Home Office impose on workers under the Health and Care Worker visa?

These would ordinarily be communicated to an applicant on issue of the CoS and visa. These include who you can work for under the same CoS, how to switch your CoS, how to work for a different employer etc. We would also advise to refer to the Home Office resources: https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa

How many hours per week does a visa sponsor undertake to provide when sponsoring an immigrant care worker?

According to the Home Office, an employer can offer any pro-rated hours per week as long as they meet the minimum salary requirements for the respective job code. More details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/different-salary-requirements AND https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-going-rates-for-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-going-rates-for-eligible-occupation-codes

What is the notice period under each contract?

The notice period for a contract is dependant on the conditions of your employer. This is usually communicated in your employment contract.
General statutory notice period guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/redundancy-your-rights/notice-periods

What are the rules surrounding references?

An employer is not legally obligated to provide a reference. But if they do provide one, there is guidance high can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/work-reference

What must I do if my employer refuses to give me a reference?

You can ask someone else in the organisation who might be willing to provide one. It is encouraged to build relationships with fellow workers as soon as you join a workplace to have more sympathetic and alternative options to the employer themselves for when you eventually need a reference.

Can I switch employers?

Yes you can switch employers. The guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/update-your-visa-if-you-change-job-or-employer