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migrant domestic workers see our media page

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Commons debate on the migrant domestic workers convention on 29th June 2011

Click here.

Lords debate on migrant domestic workers in the UK 09 June 2011

The debate in the House of Lords on the ILO domestic worker convention and the importance of protections for migrant domestic workers in the UK provided by the domestic worker visa. Click here.

New anti-slavery laws are being introduced

On 6 April 2010 a new offence of holding someone in forced labour, slavery or servitude comes into force. This will make it easier for police and the crown prosecution service to prosecute people who traffic migrant domestic workers to the UK. It will also mean that even where a worker has not been trafficked, if they are being held in a situation of forced labour, their employers can be held criminally liable. To find out more you can read the text of the new Ministry of Justice leaflet, which will be available on the Direct Gov website soon, the official Ministry of Justice circular, or the Liberty and Anti-Slavery briefing that initially proposed the new offence.

A migrant domestic worker has had her personal testimony published

The website 50:50 Open democracy has published the story of a migrant domestic worker. Click here to read "Cry of a migrant". On the same website is "Life on a knife edge" a brief article by Kalayaan about the difficulties faced by migrant domestic workers in the UK, even those who have relatively good jobs (17 March 2010).

International Women's Day 2010

On Monday 8th March 2010, Kalayaan and a member of the domestic worker self-help group J4DW, will speak at the Unite the Union lobby of parliament "Speak out against human trafficking". Amongst other things the lobby is calling on the UK Government to:

Keep the overseas domestic workers visa in the UK, including the right to change employer and recognition as workers and extend to cover to migrant domestic workers who accompany diplomats; campaign for an ILO convention on
“Decent work for Domestic Workers”

Congratulations and Thanks to Ollie Robbins on his fundraising success for Kalayaan

Well done to Ollie Robbins who has cycled to Italy and raised £1,450 for Kalayaan in the meantime!

You can read about Ollie's journey here or contribute to his fundraising through his Justgiving site here.

Borders, Immigration and Citizenship Bill

Kalayaan briefing on the Bill and possible implications for MDWs

Migrant domestic workers who work for diplomats keep exisiting rights with the Points Based System for immigration

Despite the inclusion of migrant domestic workers (mdws) employed by diplomats (diplomatic mdws) in Tier 5 of the Points Based System, a move opposed by Kalayaan and allies, these workers will maintain their exisitng rights within Tier 5. This means they can change employer within the diplomatic mission with which they entered the UK, apply to renew their visa in the UK if in eligible employment and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain once eligible.

In addition, diplomatic mdws who enter the UK before the 26th May 2010 will be granted a one off visa for up to five years.

Further details can be found on the Home Office website

Kalayaan remains concerned that diplomatic mdws are not entitled to change employers outside the diplomatic mission with which they entered the UK. In cases where the worker is abused or exploited it is unrealistic to expect them to leave and find employment within the same mission. This leaves diplomatic mdws especially vulnerable to abuse.

Migrant domestic workers celebrate a campaign win!

Kalayaan welcomes the government's commitments announced in the context of the Response to the Consultation on Visitors on the 25th June 2008 to minimise the risk of abuse or exploitation of migrant domestic workers. The government has committed to maintaining the existing rights and protections for migrant domestic workers, which were introduced with the domestic worker visa, for at least another two years.

On the 2nd July 2008 Kalayaan co published a report together with Oxfam 'The new Bonded Labour?' which looks at the situation of migrant domestic workers in the UK using data collected by Kalayaan from migrant domestic workers in the UK during 1.5 years. The report makes important recommendations to combat abuse and improve the situation of migrant domestic workers in the UK.

Why is this a success?

In 2006 the UK government announced the introduction of a ‘Points Based System’ for immigration to the UK. As part of these new regulations the Government proposed to remove many of the vital protections for migrant domestic workers (MDWs). These protections had been introduced by the same Labour Government in 1998, as a progressive change to the immigration rules, in recognition of MDWs vulnerability to abuse. Kalayaan was deeply concerned by the new proposals, announced in March 2006 following the publication of the government's White Paper 'Making Migration Work for Britain', which included removing the right of domestic workers to change employers while in the UK. Kalayaan outlined these concerns in position paper 'Migration must work for workers too' and for the past two years has been campaigning together with migrant domestic workers, their unions and other allies to ensure that the protections remain in place. We are delighted that the government has recognised the genuine concerns of MDWs and has committed to their continued protection.

Together with Oxfam, Kalayaan has produced a research document ‘The New Bonded Labour?’ which looks at why migrant domestic workers must be protected by basic rights including the right to change employer and protection under UK employment law. The report highlights the vulnerabilities particular to migrant domestic workers in the UK. You can also download a briefing paper.

You can see news coverage around the launch of the report which took place on the 2nd July 2008 on the BBC website

 

Home Affairs Committee conclude that Migrant Domestic Worker visa provides vital protection from trafficking!

Kalayaan welcomes the recommendations made by the Home Affairs Committee in their recent report 'The Trade in Human Beings: Human Trafficking in the UK' including that the domestic worker visa should be maintained to ensure domestic workers have an escape route from trafficking and forced labour. They state that:

'To retain the existing Migrant Domestic Workers visa and the protection it offers to workers is the single most important issue in preventing the forced labour and trafficking of such workers'.

 

New York millionaires guilty in 'modern day slavery' case

IBASURA! Down down! Migrant domestic workers demonstrating in Hong Kong. By Antje Grez, Filmbaustelle National Minimum Wage: First Criminal Prosecution

Lords debate on Human Trafficking 28th June 2007


 

Photograph © 2007 Aubrey Wade
  • 300 Migrant domestic workers meet to organise against the proposed changes to the migrant domestic worker visa 

On Sunday 4th March 2007 Kalayaan, together with the T&G called a meeting for migrant domestic workers to inform domestic workers about the proposals, gather responses and organise against the planned changes which would remove even the most basic protection against abuse.

Barbara Roche, former Home Office minister, spoke out against the proposals, which will reverse the rights granted to migrant domestic workers when she was in office, and has pledged her support to the campaign.

  • SLAVE BRITIAN: the twenty- first century trade in human lives

  • Introduction of new rules for people applying for settlement
    If you are planning to apply for indefinite leave to remain (or settlement) in the UK, you will need to be aware of the introduction of new rules for applications made on or after 2 April 2007. They will require applicants to show that they have a sufficient knowledge of language and life in the UK in order to qualify for settlement.
    Click here for further information
  • UK Government fails victims of forced labour trafficking- Anti-Slavery International Report
    People trafficked for forced labour in the UK, are not being identified by the authorities and there is no system of protection or support for the victims of this crime, a new report launched by Anti-Slavery International reveals. The report examines trafficking for forced labour in several industries including domestic work. You can download the report here.

  • T&G Women’s Conference 2006 supports Migrant Domestic Workers
Kalayaan had the opportunity to raise some of the issues affecting MDWs and speak of the concerns raised by the government’s proposals at the opening of the conference on Friday 30th June in Eastbourne.
A domestic worker spoke of the abuse she had personally suffered at the hands of her employers and her concerns for all domestic workers should the proposals come into force- preventing MDWs from changing employers amongst other restrictions. 
She received a standing ovation and strong pledges of support from concerned T&G women who undertook to support MDWs and Kalayaan in fighting the government’s plans to reverse the rights they gave to MDWs in 1998.
  • Kalayaan is a winner of The Centre for Social Justice Awards 2006!

Kalayaan’s work has been recognised by the Centre for Social Justice whose award programme identifies and celebrates the work of innovative, grassroots organisations that are effectively fighting poverty.

Kalayaan was one of five organisations to receive an award and a £7,000 share of the £25,000 prize which was divided between the winning groups. Our award was presented on the 28th June 2006 by Iain Duncan Smith during an award ceremony at Westminster Central Hall.

For more information on the Awards and the Centre for Social Justice click here.