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Allow overseas domestic workers the right to change employers in the UK

Overview
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Domestic workers from overseas can find themselves in the U.K. working for employers that abuse them, give them hardly any food, afford them little or no pay and often lock them in the very homes they are working in.

Astonishingly U.K. law stops migrant domestic workers from leaving these employers. The tied visa system in the U.K., equivalent to what is commonly known as the kafala system in the Middle East, means workers have to remain with the employer they arrived with to remain legal under immigration rules.

We know that giving these workers the right to find another employer makes them less vulnerable to modern slavery. ¹

Sara’s Story

“We don’t have any days off. We don’t have any freedom.”

When we spoke to Sara*, a survivor of domestic slavery, we knew we had to do something to help.

Excited for a new opportunity and the chance to help her family financially, Sara, an Indian national, was brought to the UK by a family to work as a domestic worker in their home. But far from the life she imagined, she found herself locked in the house, working round the clock, with no-one to turn to for help.

With support from a neighbour, Sara was able to escape. Now she wants to do everything she can to help domestic workers still trapped in slavery.

“Now I am free. I [am] so happy.” Sara

In 2012, the U.K. Government introduced the tied visa, which prevents overseas domestic workers from changing employers. Fortunately for Sara, she entered the U.K. before 2012 and was able to find another job and support herself after escaping slavery. Now that is not an option. The tied visa increases the risk of domestic slavery because trying to escape from exploitative situations could mean facing arrest, removal from the U.K., or even further exploitation.²

Please call on the U.K. government to support the end of the tied visa system for migrant domestic workers.

Notes:

26 March 2015: The UK Modern Slavery Act became law. Unfortunately no provisions were made in the Act to change the tied visa system, but the government has committed to an independent review of this by July this year, which will include looking at the restrictions on domestic workers to change employers. We will monitor this and keep you updated.
Disappointingly, UK MPs voted narrowly against ending the tied visa system in the UK by 67 votes following a debate in Parliament on the Modern Slavery Bill.

Chip in and help end modern slavery once and for all.

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Ruth Negus

4 years ago

Slavery should not exist in 2022. Workers should get a living wage wherever they live. Climate change is real and large companies should take responsibility and improve.

Omosade

3 years ago

I am not very sure why it appears that the constituted authorities in the UK are looking away from several confirmed cases of exploitation by private companies who hold the Healthcare Visa sponsorship license.
These employers are so emboldened to the point of constantly harassing, intimidating and threatening migrant employers whose only desire is to work in the Healthcare sector to make a difference in the lives of those in need.
Modern day slavery has indeed returned to England.

Rolyn Muyco

1 month ago

In order to minimize or prevent the human trafficking and exploitation the government should review and study the real situation of migrant domestic workers whom very crucial to exploitation and slavery,they should allow or reinstate the pre 2012 ODW visa.As a migrant domestic worker that’s the only thing we ask for so that we can work peacefully and live in this country without fear

R.W.

2 months ago

I am DISGUSTED that ANY supposedly ‘civilised’ country (never mind ‘my own country’), should introduce ANY ‘law’, that would obviously allow ‘unscrupulous employers’ (there will be millions around the world in virutally every country), to get away with what would always be nothing better than SLAVERY! The greed of the few continue to over-exploit the powerless, poor & weak of the world while spouting all their ‘window dressing nonsense’ that covers their greed, dishonesty & lack of care!

Graham Chaplin

2 months ago

Domestic work is reliant on people being treated in a respectful and fair way, this will
Enrich the lives of all concerned, both employer and employe. Everything works better when respect and fairness are the corner stone of a fair contract.

Call on the UK to end tied visas for migrant domestic workers

14,037

Help us reach 15,000

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To the UK government,

Under the current tied visa system, overseas domestic workers residing in the UK are at risk of being trapped in modern slavery and exploitation.

The Independent Review of the Overseas Domestic Workers Visa commissioned by the UK government in 2015, found that the tied visa is ‘incompatible with the reasonable protection of overseas domestic workers’. Yet, years later, overseas domestic workers in the UK are still subjected to this tied visa system.

If the UK is serious in its efforts to prevent exploitation and end violence against women and girls, it must restore rights for this workforce. I urge you to support the reinstatement of the pre-2012 visa regime to better protect overseas domestic workers from exploitation and modern slavery.

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Sian H.
6:44 PM, May 13, 2026
Veronica L.
10:23 AM, May 11, 2026
Heather L.
10:08 PM, May 4, 2026