UK Migrants Use Asa's 'Jailer' to Challenge 15-Year Settlement Rule

Migrant employees across the United Kingdom recently took to the streets to demonstrate against proposed modifications to the country's immigration policies. These changes, if implemented, could extend the required period for permanent residency to a lengthy 15 years. During a protest held on Monday, September 28, outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, participants notably sang Nigerian artist Asa's hit track, 'Jailer,' while some wore chains as a symbol of their plight.

Videos circulating online, shared by UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union, on Saturday, depicted the protesters in chains, vocalizing the 2007 song by Bukola Elemide, widely known as Asa, from her self-titled debut album. UNISON explained in an Instagram post that the song was specifically chosen for its powerful themes of “oppression, power and refusing to accept being treated as a prisoner.” The union reported that over 400 individuals participated in the demonstration, many of whom wore “symbolically wearing balls and chains” to underscore their perception of the proposed immigration rules as restrictive.

UNISON highlighted the vulnerability of some migrant workers, whose visas restrict them to specific employers. This arrangement, according to the union, exposes them to potential exploitation, as any attempt to leave an abusive workplace or speak out could jeopardize their immigration status and their families' prospects in the UK.

The protest was a key event under UNISON's Fair Visa Campaign, which is actively urging the UK Government to withdraw the controversial proposals. The union detailed that "Under plans from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, care staff, NHS employees and lower-paid public service workers will have to wait 15 years to qualify to settle in the UK, instead of the current five." UNISON is advocating for the retention of the existing five-year qualifying period for skilled workers. Furthermore, it champions a sector-wide visa sponsorship system for social care workers, believing this would significantly reduce their susceptibility to exploitation.

Andrea Egan, UNISON General Secretary, addressed the demonstrators, stating unequivocally that migrant workers should not be held responsible for insufficient public service investment. Egan asserted, "The NHS, social care and other essential services rely on the hard work of migrant staff," as quoted by the union. She strongly criticized the proposed alterations, arguing they would replace the current five-year settlement expectation with "the threat of 15 years of insecurity and exploitation," and called for the government to abandon them.

These proposed policy shifts hold particular significance for Nigerian nationals, who have been a major demographic recruited through the UK’s Health and Care Worker visa pathway. Data from the UK Home Office indicates that 18,143 Nigerian citizens were granted visas to work as care workers and home carers in 2023. That year, Nigerians, along with Indian and Zimbabwean nationals, collectively constituted 58 percent of all visas issued for care worker and home carer positions, according to Home Office statistics.