International Healthcare Worker Integration Project
Funded by Northamptonshire Community Foundation.
AYA is conscious that young people between the ages of 18 - 25 within the African community can be disproportionality discriminated or taken advantage of when it comes to employment and may not be fully aware of their rights when it comes to employment law. AYA has been approached by young Africans who now reside in Northamptonshire who have come to the UK on work permits and are facing adverse challenges and barriers. These include:
- Not well acquainted with the UK structure.
- Cultural shock in the workplace
- Failing to understand their employment rights
- Needing advice and guidance on registering with GPs, opening bank accounts, DBS registering etc
- Loneliness and feeling isolated
- Networking with other young people who are already acquainted with the UK culture and systems
- Creating career pathways and working on their personal development
- Keeping them informed about the new opportunities in their local area
- Running a workshop on mental health and financial literacy awareness
- Creating a peer support network so that they can encourage each other as they develop in their careers.
In addition, supporting and providing guidance to employees when they have been recruited internationally and raising awareness of Morden Day Slavery legislation.
AYA understands that many of these international workers mainly young people are vulnerable to exploitation as many of the BAME workers are recruited by small businesses that have obtained international recruitment licenses to bridge the gap in the health sector. We have been contacted by new recruits that have told us they have been overworked without adequate breaks, wages are delayed or are not correctly paid for the hours worked. Therefore at AYA we want to empower these workers, provide a safe place to discuss their concerns, signpost where necessary and have detailed sessions on law, housing and life in the UK.
Through a series of conferences and workshops, with experts in immigration law, HR, international recruitment, personal finance, leadership, and Unison, we aim to reach as many leaders and international recruits as possible.
