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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.

Anti Slavery - Call for action from members on migrant domestic workers: "Take action on trafficking, forced labour and exploitation of migrant domestic workers in the UK"

The Home Office have changed their application forms. From the 29 February 2008 you will need to use the new application forms. Fees and forms can be downloaded from the BIA website

New York millionaires guilty in 'modern day slavery' case

The National Minimum Wage has increased from October 2007. The main rate for workers aged 22 and over increased on 1 October 2007 to £5.52 an hour from £5.35 an hour. See link.

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

BOUND: a group exhibition exploring human enslavement launches in Liverpool on 9th August – 20th October 2007. Go to www.boundexhibition.com for more information

 

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.