"I was never promoted even though I passed the interviews."
Migrant workers across the UK are facing widespread racism, discrimination and exploitation at work and in their communities, according to a survey by the Unite union.
Unite, which represents tens of thousands of migrant workers across sectors including health, food production and passenger transport, said the findings exposed a worsening climate for migrant communities.
The survey found rising levels of abuse, alongside growing anxiety linked to government rhetoric and planned immigration legislation affecting Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The results of this survey are shocking. No workers should have to tolerate discrimination or abuse.
“Migrant workers are doctors and nurses, cleaners, bus drivers, food workers, farm labourers and almost every other job you can think of.
“These workers, like all workers, must be treated with dignity and respect.”
According to the survey, 46% of respondents said they had experienced racism, discrimination or unfair treatment while working in the UK.
Of those workers, 47% said the mistreatment came directly from their employer or manager.
Almost half, 45%, said they felt exploited because of their migrant status.
Nearly a quarter (23%) said they had been unfairly treated at work, specifically due to racism.
Concerns about immigration policy were also widespread, with 49% saying proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain made them feel less secure about their future.
Respondents shared detailed first-hand accounts describing racism, exploitation and abuse across multiple industries.
One worker said: “When I worked for a food production company, my manager was openly racist, saying that she wanted only British management, so I was never promoted even though I passed the interviews.
“I was threatened, my holidays were cancelled, and I endured a lot of abuse.”
Another respondent said: “I’ve heard people at work joking about my immigration status.”
A third worker added: “Over the past six months, racism and racist slurs have risen considerably. We are experiencing humiliation and living in fear.”
Exploitation through agency work was also highlighted by respondents.
One worker said: “Agencies employ EU staff to work like that for years without a contract, while British workers receive contracts after three months.
“When I was hired, I went directly to the company, but they then passed my documents to the agency. The agency paid the flat rate regardless of whether you worked nights, weekends, bank holidays, etc.”
Another respondent described repeated abuse and unfair dismissal before union intervention.
They said: “Absolutely, I have! Continuously since I arrived here, from public shaming inside the warehouse, in front of 35 colleagues and one supervisor, yelling and cursing at me for no reason.
“Violent threats, wage theft, and finally being dismissed completely and utterly unfairly, then being reinstated by the union.”
Racial segregation within workplaces was also reported, as one respondent said:
“One organisation employed British people for management, white Europeans for customer-facing roles, and BAME staff for the lowest-paid work behind the scenes.”
Another employer openly discriminated against BME job applicants in front of existing staff members.
Unite has recently submitted evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee’s investigation into Indefinite Leave to Remain.
The union strongly opposes proposals to lengthen or restrict routes to settlement, particularly if applied retrospectively to migrants who arrived after 2021.
Unite said international evidence shows longer and conditional routes increase labour exploitation, undermine integration and destabilise migrant households.
It also warned that such policies place disproportionate burdens on the most vulnerable workers.
The union has also criticised anti-migrant rhetoric from government ministers, arguing it is contributing to the hostility and discrimination faced by migrant communities.
Unite director for equalities Alison Spencer-Scragg said: “This survey highlights the growing threat of racism and discrimination against migrant workers who provide vital services for the UK.
“Vast sections of the UK economy rely on migrant workers and Unite is calling on the government to reverse measures to make ILR harder to obtain and to crackdown on the discrimination of migrant workers.
“Unite will not stand by and watch anti-migrant language from politicians proliferate and anti-migrant legislation harm the UK economy.”
She added that Unite will give their support to the UK’s migrant workers.
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