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Written question asked by Stuart C McDonald (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 14 March 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 March 2024. It was answered by Tom Pursglove (Conservative) on Friday, 22 March 2024 on behalf of the Home Office.

Seasonal Workers: Health

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, who is responsible for (a) accommodating, (b) maintaining, (c) supporting and (d) compensating workers in the UK on the Seasonal Worker visa who become ill; who is responsible for (i) monitoring and (ii) enforcing this right; and which body handles complaints on healthcare support for those workers.

Answer

The Scheme Operators are responsible for monitoring pay, conditions, and worker’s general welfare whilst they are in the UK.

The Home Office works closely with DEFRA to monitor the scheme to ensure Scheme Operators adhere to the stringent requirements set for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the seasonal workers. This includes ongoing monitoring of the route’s performance, regular communication with Scheme Operators and ongoing compliance monitoring which is underpinned by compliance visits to both Scheme Operators and growers, which are carried out by UKVI. Action is taken if concerns are identified during sponsor visits, with sponsor licences being suspended while UKVI investigate further.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18727
Session
2023-24
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Health Seasonal workers
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk