It is time to extend compassion and care to Filipinos who came to the UK to care for Britain's elderly. This is just one of the goals of Kanlungan, a non-profit, charitable institution, in taking the cudgels for embattled senior carers who were denied Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. Thirty-three year old Jenny Labaria was denied the application of to remian because of the five-month gap in her work permit. She came to the UK as a care worker in 2004. Senior caregivers Evelyn Bolano and Mary Sorilla are also intending to apply for their Indefinite Leave to Remain but are worried that just like the fate of many Filipino senior carers in the UK, their application will also be denied. Sorilla and Bolano have already sought the assistance of Kanlungan. They are supporting the cause of Pinoy senior carers in the UK who are petitioning for a judicial review of their case. The judicial review will challenge in the UK court the way decisions concerning the senior case workers have been made. In the last 10 years, the UK Home Office has issued more than 20,000 work permits to those who want to work as senior care worker in the UK. It has paved the way for migrant workers to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, after working here for five years. In 2004, the UK, in accordance with EU rules, restricted the employment policy of citizens from non-EU countries. The changes were seen in the refusal of UK Home Office to grant five-year work permits to senior carers, who can apply for permanent residency in the UK. When the UK Home Office refused the renewal of Pinoy carers' visas, many senior carers were left with no option but to go back to the Philippines. There were also cases of deportation. Those who remained in the UK continued to challenge the new regulations. With intense pressure from trade and campaign groups and ardent support from Members of Parliament (MPs), the Home Office softened and allowed extension of work permits. It also offered a lifeline to senior carers. Kanlungan said the case of senior carers is a classic tale of abuse and injustice against migrant workers. “This is a story of violatin of human rights. Firstly, they were abused because of a change in the law. The organizations are fighting for the proection and the rights of the workers,” said Jam Fagta, a case worker for Kanlungan. Kanlungan is hoping to get more senior carers to join the others in the fight. – ABS
