In a 58-page report, the New York-based Human Right Watch
(HRW) said migrant domestic workers, including Filipino women brought to the
United Kingdom by their employers, are being subjected to serious abuses like
forced labor. The report documents the confiscation of passports, confinement
to the home, physical and psychological abuse, extremely long hours of work with
no rest, and very low wages or nonpayment of wages. Because domestic helpers
work in private households, much of the abuse takes place behind closed doors,
the HRW said. The report also mentions
that those who are mistreated face a horrendous choice: either endure the
terrible abuse or escape and become undocumented migrants, where they are much
more vulnerable to further abuse and exploitation.
A modern slavery bill would increase penalties for slavery,
servitude, forced labor and human trafficking from 14 years to life
imprisonment.
Full article available at:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/101468/human-rights-group-hits-uk-for-slavery-of-migrants