by Linda Straker
- Exploitation of nannies drawn to attention of Grenada’s High Commission in London
- Grenada police advise illegally employed nannies allegation is subject of UK law enforcement
- Families in Grenada unable to purchase airline ticket to get recruited women out of appalling situation
Police in Grenada have confirmed learning about the allegations of exploitation of Grenadian women who are apparently illegally employed as nannies in the United Kingdom (UK). They advised that such an allegation should become the subject of UK law enforcement because it is occurring there.
“We can only follow where such an investigation will lead for now,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police, Franklyn Redhead, who also confirmed that the allegation which surfaced on Facebook was also drawn to the attention of Grenada’s High Commission in London.
The High Commission explained that anyone seeking employment in the UK should first comply with the required laws of the UK. Among other requirements, the law mandates that an employer acquires the relevant work permit from the relevant authorities before the arrival of the employee.
According to the Work in the UK website, before applying for a UK work permit, the applicant, among other things, must first receive a confirmed offer of employment from a licenced UK employer (the sponsoring employer), and be in possession of a Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the sponsoring employer. “The work permit application process is led by the employer who is responsible for issuing you (the applicant) with a Certificate of Sponsorship.”
Persons between 18 and 30 years old can apply for a Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa without sponsorship, which allows them to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.
The exploitation of Grenadian nannies became the subject of discussion last weekend, after one of the ladies was thrown out of the house where she was taking care of three children for a Nigerian family, and she spoke out about the working and living conditions.
Maria King, as she is known on Facebook, explained that the less-than-acceptable living and working conditions include a 13-hour shift beginning at 7 am and ending at 8 pm, and her inability to have a shower on her designated day off.
King, along with other Grenadian women, said they were recruited with the help of recruitment agents in Grenada. Dozens of young ladies who left for a better life are discovering that the promised life of working as a nanny in the United Kingdom for between £400 and £500 a week, has turned into a nightmare where they are receiving between £300 and £600 per month.
“It’s terrible, it’s horrible. It’s appalling. That is not what I was told. I did not sign up for that but it has become my sad and embarrassing reality,” said one of the young ladies. “We are vulnerable and were looking for a better life, but what we have is worse than what we left Grenada. We are not improving our life, we are seeing more trouble.” She had gone to the recruiting agent after seeing a notice on Facebook. The current occupation of the recruiting agent in Grenada falls under law enforcement.
To close the deal, the recruiting agent demanded upfront payment of between EC$400 and EC$600, and all applicants had to submit two references and a police record. The cost of the trip was the responsibility of the person seeking the job.
“We don’t know what the EC$400 is for because we do not receive a work permit,” said one of the young ladies who claimed she discovered the need for a work permit after her arrival in the UK.
The ladies were met at the airport by a representative of the UK employment/recruiting agency and taken to the house of the homeowner where they are introduced to the family and children. Most of them reported that their passports are then taken away by the homeowners who are usually a husband and wife.
Most of the homeowners are Nigerian families.
It is there that the nannies learn that they are illegally employed and running to the police will just lead to being thrown into prison because they are violating immigration laws.
“When that was explained to me, I just had to accept the struggle because I don’t know anyone. Life is suddenly changed and from there, things will just go downhill. I only saw these things happen in African movies and I thought it was just acting, but now I realise it is real, it’s very real,” said King.
Relaying her story via a telephone interview, she said, “Then for my first month’s salary, the recruiting agency took almost all, saying it’s a fee for getting me employed and it happened the second month. I [am] getting little money and they [are] taking more than half. It’s a hard life,” she said.
All the ladies said that during the recruitment and interview stage, the Grenadian agent told them that the salary will be on par with the what is set by the UK Government which is between £400 and £700 for live-in nannies per week, but they receive the same monthly.
Some families in Grenada are aware of the appalling conditions but are unable to purchase an airline ticket to get them out of the situation.
Trying to make a better life for yourself is always encouraged. But doing so moving to another country is another factor. As another person said do your research. It’s the same in the USA or Canada, you do have to get a work permit but because of conditions you are unable to do so, however you decide to go ahead anyway (take the risk). Dispute this no one should be taken advantage of and there are red flags that should indicate that. Taking someone travel documents should never be a condition and if that ever happens you should leave immediately. Always have a back-up plan. If you need to get out where am I going, what should I do. Anything to do with money being paid a receipt or some agreement should be let in writing illegal or not. Even if it says you are aware I am not responsible for xxx. And trust me as the young lady said “people said to me stoop to concur” yes we have to but not to certain levels. Once basic necessities are taking away from you as a human being, no matter how much you are being paid don’t let that go as nothing. Although you illegal you still have protective rights and trust me, the employers get into more legal trouble than you. The conditions the young lady outlined, I really cannot see how anyone would continue under such conditions for at least a 2 month’s. And the agency should have somewhere for you to go un case your situation doesn’t work out because yes you taking a risk but not all persons work together. But my advice ask questions and pay attention.
This is total BS and the agency here in Grenada is still operating, and any one working illegal in the UK is deported and the employer is fined app £20,000.00. there are not just thrown into jail, the Grenadian Government should have this agency shut down ASAP
I am very sad to hear about my grenadine people, I can relate to the advantage these people that are rich taking advantage of people that are just trying to make in life it is not easy finding jobs in Grenada. People are suffering I left grenada twenty seven years ago to go to the USA I didn` t know where I was going or who I was going at I ‘very gotten an offer and I took it but it end up being a nightmare the saddest part they was grenadia but I who gave the offer I used to get paid &50.00 dollars a week and because I did not have any relatives in the US they was treating very bad I could not eat food on the house It is a good thing to know how to pray I asked God to deliver me from the wicked ness and he did right now I am visiting my country for the first time and I am free from the evil doers My advise to you ladies please try to get out now If you have to go back to your home go back with pride
Why are Grenadians in Grenada being recruited by foreign agents , without the Grenada government verifying (through in depth documentation), the terms and conditions of what Grenadian nationals are entering into on foreign soil. Do Grenadian families know for a fact that their children are not being used as sex slaves in foreign countries? Do Grenadian lives and well being matter to anyone???? People in Grenada, Please wake up!
Do not blame the UK for the problems you are having. You travelled to UK and accepted work, illegally, whether you were aware of it or not. Do not rely on the services of a recruiting agency. Do your homework. Kudos for wishing to improve yourself but when travelling to a foreign country for work, ensure that you know the law. The internet is available to all in Grenada and 20 mins or so spent reading government sites would have saved you heartache and money. The UK must ferret out the illegal employers but this is nearly impossible so responsibility falls to those wishing to live and work in the UK..
Guess, why condemn people who are trying to a living for themselves ?
They are not the only ones who travel abroad to work.
Stop blaming the victims. Blame those who are turning fellow human beings into slaves.
Do you have jobs for those who need employment?
Why do people think leaving their God blessed country and going abroad to these nations is the answer for life. Stay in your country please and do what’s possible to build a life. USA UK Canada these country is not easy to survive so much deceitful people’s especially if you don’t have trusted contact.
They should go to the police abd face the consequences . It might be better. I have heard about that almost two years ago.
Sad situation. People are so evil. I would expose every man, jack and their brother under this scheme. You were bamboozed into thinking you were gainfully and legally employed. I would if possible bring a law suit against the agent in Grenada then let the shit hit the fan as it may. I would also expose the family I was employed by spare none. There is help for you where you are. Check the legal aid clinics. Something must be done. Even if it cost you the ability to visit the U.K again. There are other countries you can visit. Don’t settle for this anymore.
This has been going on for a while now and it’s about time this agent in Grenada be exposed. If the article is correct in saying that this recruiter has a job that falls under law enforcement, all the more reason to expose her. These poor young girls very very gullible to believe that a live-in nanny would be paid a standard salary of £400 to £700 per week. I know of two young ladies who fell for that con, those Africans families are the worst to be placed with, young Ms King should do her bit to ensure that they too feel the long arms of the law.