More than 400 migrant care workers have staged a musical protest outside the UK Labour Party Conference, singing Nigerian singer Aṣa’s hit song Jailer to challenge visa rules they say leave foreign workers vulnerable to exploitation.
The protesters used the song to draw attention to their demands for greater freedom, fair treatment and protection under the United Kingdom’s immigration system.
According to footage shared by UNISON, the workers gathered outside the conference venue and sang the song together, using its message about freedom and control to highlight their concerns about the restrictions attached to their immigration status.
One of their key demands is the right to change employers without putting their legal status in the UK at risk. They argue that restrictions tying their immigration status to particular employers can make it difficult to leave abusive or exploitative working arrangements.
The protesters are also calling for the retention of the five-year route to permanent residency, which would allow eligible migrant workers to apply to settle permanently after meeting the relevant requirements.
Their demonstration comes amid continuing debate in the UK over immigration policy, migrant labour and the rights of overseas workers employed in the care sector.
Migrant care workers have played an important role in supporting the UK’s health and social care services. However, workers and campaigners have raised concerns about recruitment practices, working conditions and the vulnerability of employees whose right to remain in the country depends on their employment arrangements.
For the protesters, the issue extends beyond wages and working conditions. They say the ability to leave an employer without jeopardising their immigration status is essential to ensuring that workers can report mistreatment and seek better employment without fear of losing their right to remain in the country.
Aṣa’s Jailer provided a fitting soundtrack for the demonstration, with the protesters using the Nigerian singer’s music to communicate their message to political leaders and the wider public.
The song’s themes of freedom and oppression resonated with the workers’ call for an immigration system that protects their dignity and allows them greater control over their working lives.
The protest also highlights the role of music in social and political movements, particularly when demonstrators seek to communicate complex concerns through a familiar cultural reference.
Video of the demonstration was credited to UNISON, the UK trade union representing workers across public services and other sectors.
The protesters are urging the government to reconsider policies they believe could leave migrant care workers with fewer options when facing exploitation, while preserving a clear pathway to permanent residency for those who meet the relevant requirements.
