Ghanaian Nurse Working as a Carer in the UK Cries Out Over New 10-Year ILR Policy for Migrants

• A young Ghanaian lady is trending after she reacted to the proposed new immigration laws by the UK government
• This comes after she expressed astonishment that the number of years required for immigrants to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) would be increased
• Social media users who took to the comments section of the post shared varied opinions on the announcement by the UK government

A young Ghanaian nurse who left her post in Ghana to work as a care worker in the UK has opened up about her plan to return to her country of origin.

Her decision comes after the UK government announced new immigration changes, which included extending the time required for qualified migrants to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to ten years.

Reacting to the announcement, the young lady who works as a domiciliary care worker took to TikTok video where she questioned the motive behind the move to extend the time required for qualified migrants to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

She wondered why it was so difficult to offer a migrant worker the chance to have permanent residency after working in the country for five years.

“Family, what is the UK government saying? They no longer want us to qualify in five years but rather in ten years. Those eager for the red book are the ones who will have to work for a longer period. Why do you want us to work for ten years? You are not being truthful. Within five years, do you know how people have endured, especially those who do not see this as their calling? Those who see nursing as their calling, all because they want the red book, you want us to work for ten good years.”

In her case, the young lady said she was not bothered about the proposed immigration policies, as her aim is not to get a British passport but rather to earn some money and return to Ghana.

She then gave a specific timeline by indicating she would leave the UK for Ghana after five years.

“Because this is my calling, if the number of years increases I don’t care. I am not interested in the red book; I just want to earn a living so I can return to my home country, Ghana, and continue with my life. For me, after five years I will return to Ghana to continue with my life.”

Rationale behind the extension of the ILR period

The UK government published its White Paper titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, where it indicated that the move to increase the time for qualified migrants to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to ten years was to ensure that migrants demonstrate longer engagement through tax contributions, work, and community involvement before securing the chance to leave in the country permanently.

Also, the new immigration policy will help curb the increased flow of migrants, particularly those who are unskilled.

UK immigration strategy

The Home Secretary also announced new immigration strategies, such as ending the recruitment of care workers from overseas.

The move is aimed at ensuring that British nationals are also hired to work in care.

Additionally, main and dependent applicants must meet English language requirements across every immigration route.

Also, with this new immigration strategy, international students after school in the UK will have 18 months instead of two years to stay in the country and work and look for a job.

At the time of writing the report, the adorable video had raked in over 4000 likes and 70 comments.

Watch the video below:

Reactions to the proposed immigration laws

Social media users who took to the comments section of the video shared their views on the UK government’s proposal.

Yaw Dwarkwaa commented:

“Very good, my sister, return to the motherland when you feel you have made a comfortable life here. The initiative by the UK government is wrong.”

Royce Jr stated:

“Make your money and come home; na citizenship wode yɛ deɛn?”

Edna Laryea indicated:

“Say it again, ooo my sister!”

Ages stated:

“I really like the fact that you boast about your work.”

YEN.com.gh spoke to a psychological therapist, Dr Kingsley Owusu, about the emotional and psychological effects skilled migrants, like nurses, experience when they’re forced to take lower-status jobs abroad, and how they can cope.

According to him, the psychological effects go beyond just having a low-status job, but your entire existence in a different land where your family and friends are not around and you are lonely all the time can have adverse effects on your psyche.

"It is emotionally draining to have a qualified nurse travel outside the country with the promise of finding a great job to support his/her family at home, only to reach and you are doing jobs you wouldn't have done based on the skills you have. That can be very emotionally draining", he said.

"I attribute this to the system laid down for migrant workers. In my own experience, I have come to find out that their low-grade jobs are such that you will be frustrated enough to leave and go back to your country. It also gets very lonely sometimes, and not having your friends and family physically around to provide emotional support makes living abroad and working these low-grade jobs have many psychological effects on the individual. If anyone is in such a situation, I advise the person to seek help", he added.

QueenLet urges Ghanaian nurses to relocate abroad

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that QueenLet, a Ghanaian gospel singer and nurse living in Germany, had advised Ghanaian nurses to relocate abroad.

Speaking in an interview with ZionFelix, QueenLet said jobs for nurses abound in Germany. She further indicated that salaries for nurses there are also lucrative.

Source: YEN.com.gh