UK: Fix Bill to Protect Migrant Domestic Workers

Story originally published on November 17, 2014

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the UK's House of Lords to amend the Modern Slavery Bill to protect migrant domestic workers from abuse by their employers. In order to curb immigration, the British government removed the right of domestic workers to leave their employer and seek alternative work in April 2012. Since then, domestic workers have had only two choices, to return home or stay with employers even if they are being abused. The charity Kalayaan said that many domestic workers are being physically abused, paid below their agreed salary and have had their passports confiscated. Several Philippine domestic workers have been the victims of abuse, and when they finally leave their abusive employer, they are unable to stay in the UK legally. Many others opt to stay with their employer and do not complain to the authorities because they need any salary they were paid to send back home to their families.

A parliament committee report completed in April 2014 concluded that “tying domestic workers to their employer institutionalizes their abuse.” A representative of the HRW added that “by amending the Modern Slavery Bill, the House of Lords can help give abused workers the confidence to go to the police.”

Full account available at:

http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/11/17/uk-fix-bill-protect-migrant-domestic-workers