by Charles Kelly

23 August 2007 

Senior Carer Work Permit renewals are finally being granted by the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) after months of campaigning.

Immigration Advisers and Overseas Recruitment Specialists Bison UK has reported a number of successful Work Permit Approvals this week, some of which were issued after being with the BIA for five months.

Recruitment Manager Cynthia Barker was delighted when they received the first three cases on Wednesday, and immediately broke the news to the candidates and employers.

“We were so pleased for our candidates who have gone through absolute hell for months. Some of the cases had already been refused but we asked the BIA to reopen the files following the recent concession on Senior Carer Work Permits”.

“The higher pay rate was not a problem, and in one of the cases they were already earning above £7.00 per hour; others have not been so lucky yet but we are talking to their employers”.

Cynthia’s message to Senior Carers is: “Don’t give up hope”.

More approval letters have since arrived and more are expected as the BIA clears the backlog. A large number of applications and reviews are on the way to the BIA.

Marc, one of the lucky Work Permit holders said he was “happy and relieved” by the news that his renewal had finally been granted.

The Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) introduced tough new rules on Senior Carer Work Permits on 13 August, but has left the door open for those renewing Work Permits.

In country workers have been granted a concession and are not required to meet the new criteria extend their permits, but employers are required to pay the new “BIA rate” for Senior Carers of £7.02 per hour.

Many employers, including the larger groups, are refusing to pay the new higher salary, which in some instances represents a £3000 or 25% rise.

This leaves thousands of lives in the balance unless the government adopts a more flexible approach on pay.

If you you have been refused a Senior Carer Work Permit and would like advice on what to do next or possible alternatives, please email Charles Kelly

info@immigrationmatters.co.uk.

For all the latest Immigration news see

www.immigrationmatters.co.uk

The fight is not over.

Please keep signing the "Save Our Senior Carers" on-line petition to the Prime Minister - http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveCarers/

See also How to write to your MP

Senior Carer Work Permits Special Meeting

If you have been affected or concerned about this issue, there will be a special meeting on: 25 August 2007, 2-5 pm. St. John’s Nottinghill, Lansdowne Crescent, London W11 2NN. I will be speaking at the meeting organised by the Alliance of Filipino Organisations...