Nigerian-born British politician, Kemi Badenoch, has sparked outrage online for reportedly referring to migrant care workers as “bottom wipers.”
In a video circulating on social media, Badenoch allegedly made the controversial remark while discussing immigration in the United Kingdom.
The politician, who is the Secretary of State for Business and Trade in the UK, expressed concerns about the UK’s immigration policy.
She said she wanted the UK to be “great” for herself and her children but emphasized the need for controlled immigration.
Badenoch, a prominent figure in the Conservative Party, reportedly highlighted that she did not want migrants working in jobs that primarily involve “wiping bottoms,” a reference to care work roles that involve taking care of elderly or disabled patients.
Many migrant workers in the UK care sector work in low-wage positions that require personal care assistance, including helping patients with basic hygiene.
The comment has led to widespread criticism online.
People on social media have called the remark disrespectful, particularly to the many migrant workers who have kept the UK’s care system afloat.
Nigerians, in particular, expressed disappointment, as many migrant care workers in the UK are of African origin, including from Nigeria.
Advocacy groups have also condemned the remarks, calling them insensitive and dismissive of the sacrifices made by care workers, especially during the global pandemic.
Care workers were on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19, and many of them are migrants who work long hours under difficult conditions.
A spokesperson for a UK-based advocacy group said: “These remarks are not just insulting, they are hurtful. Migrant care workers have played a critical role in the UK’s healthcare system, particularly during the pandemic, when they risked their lives to care for the elderly and vulnerable. To dismiss their work as merely ‘wiping bottoms’ is to undermine the dignity of care work itself.”
However, some have defended Badenoch, arguing that her comments were taken out of context.
They claim that she was not mocking migrant care workers but rather making a point about the need to improve immigration policies and provide more opportunities for skilled professions in the UK.
Others argued that her comments were aimed at highlighting the need for better job prospects for UK citizens and not necessarily about disrespecting migrant workers.
Badenoch has a history of strong opinions on immigration.
During her time in government, she has often spoken about the need to reduce the number of migrants coming to the UK, especially low-skilled workers.
She has also criticized the UK Treasury for supporting high immigration levels, stating that it was “not good for our country.”
In a recent speech, Badenoch said: “We promised to lower immigration, but it went up. Why? Because the Treasury said high immigration was good for the economy. But we knew it was not good for our country.”
She has been vocal in advocating for immigration policies that prioritize skilled professionals over low-wage workers, a stance that aligns with the broader Conservative Party’s position on reducing immigration.
