I provide care for your elderly relatives, the ones you hold dear above all else. I offer support in times of fear, hold trembling hands, and bring solace during the quiet hours of the night. I assist in restoring mobility, appetite, and humanity to those in my care.
Being a migrant care worker, I take pride in the work I do, not just because it’s a job, but because it’s a part of who I am. After seeking asylum in the UK for safety and a fresh start, I found purpose in caring for others, earning respect and gratitude from the individuals and families I serve.
Despite the dedication and effort I put into my work, I often feel unseen by the society I contribute to. I work tirelessly, paying taxes like everyone else, earning everything through hard work, patience, and compassion.
It pains me to hear some label workers like me as a “burden” or even a “stranger.” I start my day early to ensure the comfort of someone’s mother, staying late so a family can go to work knowing their father is in good hands. I fill crucial roles that others shy away from, keeping care homes and hospitals running smoothly.
The proposal to make migrant carers wait 15 years before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain stirs a profound sense of injustice within me. Fifteen years of dedication, sacrifice, and loyalty, yet the message remains, “You don’t belong here yet.”
We don’t seek special treatment or accolades, just fairness and recognition of our humanity. How can we be labeled a burden when we carry so much weight and provide so much support?
We yearn for stability, respect, and a chance to build a future without waiting decades to be fully embraced. We don’t aim to take; we are here to give, as we have been doing since our arrival.
My deepest wish is for the UK, the country I serve with all my heart, to reciprocate that care and appreciation towards us one day.