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

Domestic workers from overseas can find themselves in the UK 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 UK law stops migrant domestic workers from leaving these employers. The tied visa system in the UK means they have to remain with the employer they arrived with. We know that giving these workers the right to find another employer makes them less vulnerable to modern slavery. ¹

The moment to help change this is now. MPs are about to decide whether to end the tied visa system as part of the Modern Slavery Bill — will you add your voice asking them to end it?

Domestic workers, campaigning groups and policy-makers have been working tirelessly to secure changes to the Overseas Domestic Worker visa since 2012, and this amendment to the Modern Slavery Bill could do just that.

This is where you come in. This week is crucial to urge MPs to back this amendment — we must bring massive pressure to bear and give domestic workers back the choice over their employers. The Walk Free movement has already achieved several other major improvements to the UK Modern Slavery Bill — with you, we can do the same again.

Please call on your MP to support the end of the tied visa system for migrant domestic workers.