FAQs
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Are migrant domestic workers entitled to the National Minimum Wage?
Yes, migrant domestic workers are legally entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The rate changes every April.
In April 2023 the following rates were announced:
- An hourly salary which is equal to or above the National Living Wage of £10.42 per hour, if your employee is 23 or over, or £10.18 if aged between 21 – 22
This is a gross wage so tax and National Insurance contributions can be deducted from this amount. The NMW is the MINIMUM an employer is legally entitled to pay a worker.
Any employment position becomes more attractive and sustainable if the employer pays a living wage rather than the minimum. The London Living Wage is recommended at £13.15 per hour and outside London is a recommended £12 per hour.
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Can money be deducted from wages for accommodation and food?
No money can be deducted for food.
There are limits set on the amount that an employer providing accommodation can offset this against the NMW requirements. From April 2022, a daily rate of £9.10 can be deducted for each day that the employer makes accommodation available. If more than this amount is deducted it cannot be used to offset the National Minimum Wage.
This means that a maximum of £63.70 per week can be deducted for accommodation from a domestic worker’s pay. If the work is part time, or the accommodation is not provided every day, the maximum amount that can be deducted will be less. If the hourly or daily calculations produce different answers, then the smaller amount should be used.
For more information on the accommodation offset, please click here.
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Do domestic workers need to pay tax and National Insurance (NI)?
As an employer, you are responsible for making the tax and National Insurance payments for a domestic worker who is working full time for you. When agreeing the salary with a worker you would like to employ, you should clarify if the amount you are discussing is before or after tax and NI has been deducted. If you want help with registering with HM Revenue and Customs as an employer you can call their New employer helpline on 0300 200 3200 or click here for further information.
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Can a domestic worker change an employer?
Migrant domestic workers are allowed to change employers. This will not affect any future applications for visa extensions. In order to extend their visa, domestic workers will need to be in full time employment with a new employer in a private household. If a worker changes employers, they must inform the Home Office in writing.
In April 2016, after a campaign by Kalayaan and our supporters, the government allowed workers to change employers in the below categories:
a) Domestic workers in a private household who applied for their entry clearance on or after 6 April 2016 are permitted to change their employer and work for the remaining term of their visa as a domestic worker. They do not need to notify the Home Office of any change in employer
b) As of 24 November 2016, domestic workers employed by diplomats can change their employer and work for the remaining term of their visa as a domestic worker. They do not need to notify the Home Office of any change in employer
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Are domestic workers allowed to work for a cleaning agency, or as a cleaner in a hotel, or nursery or an office?
No. Migrant domestic workers who entered the UK on an Overseas Domestic Worker visa are only permitted to work for an individual in their private household and carry out domestic work.
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When should a domestic worker apply to renew their Domestic Worker visa?
Your right to renew your domestic worker visa will depend upon the visa regime in force at the time you were issued your visa. Different rules apply depending on when you were issued your visa. For more information see: