Free but still confined—UK system trapping survivors in “the grey zone”

*name has been changed to protect survivor’s identity 

The UK’s National Referral Mechanism (NRM) was setup to help migrant workers escape abusive employers. But if they don’t time their escape just right, survivors can be left without the right to work reports Infomigrants. Consequently, survivors are trapped in a grey zone without the ability to earn an income and facing ongoing uncertainty, insecurity, and vulnerability to exploitation. 

Controlled by workload and fear 

Before coming to the UK with the family that employed her, Cynthia worked in Dubai where her day began at 5am and didn’t end until after 10pm. For four years she worked backbreaking 12 to 16-hour days with no days off. When the family decided to move to the UK, Cynthia hoped things might get better. Instead, her employers tightened their control, using fear to keep her from venturing out. They told her if she left the flat without them, she would be arrested. Cynthia, who didn’t know anything different, believed them.  

Cynthia shared: 

 “The wall of the flat is glass, so you can see everything. I saw people from below, they were laughing, they were free to go anywhere, even on Saturday and Sunday…(but) my employer told me that if I went out without them, the police would get me.” 

Things began to change when one of her friends in a Filipino community Facebook page posted to the group about her situation. They came up with a plan for her to escape with the help of trusted local connections. Cynthia told her employers she was taking out the garbage. When she got outside a woman was waiting for her. She said, “Don’t say anything,” and motioned for her to follow. Cynthia was finally free.  

Free, but not free…

Cynthia was given a place to stay temporarily but found she was still terrified to leave the house. News of the government’s scheme to deport people to Rwanda brought back the terror of her employer’s statements about the police coming to get her. And when she was finally reported missing by her employers, the police did come knocking. But thankfully when Cynthia shared her saga, law enforcement identified her as a victim of modern slavery and placed her under the NRM. That’s when she entered “the grey zone”. 

Speaking about the NRM, Florence Yilmaz, co-founder of the United Domestic Workers Association (UDWA) said: 

“The provisions of the NRM are blind to the needs of migrant domestic workers who have been trafficked by their employer,” 

Further, Yilmaz criticized the NRM calling it “a band-aid solution.” In her experience, survivors’ most pressing need after escaping is to find a job. Many need to send money to their families back home as well as simply afford to live.  

 Yilmaz stated: 

“Not having the right to find employment puts the workers at even higher risk of being exploited again,” 

The NRM is designed to provide support after a migrant escapes from an exploitative employer. People like Cynthia who fall under the NRM can stay in the UK while their case is evaluated. An evaluation that can take up to two years. Unfortunately for Cynthia, her foreign domestic worker visa expired before she received the first “reasonable grounds decision” from the NRM. And although she received a positive decision and moved forward to the next step, she was not allowed to work.  

Instead, without income to cover housing or food Cynthia was forced to rely on food pantries and float from house to house, being careful not to overtax her hosts. Ironically this NRM “grey area” ends up forcing many desperate migrants like Cynthia to work in the hidden underground economy. This, in turn, heightens their risk of labor exploitation and being trapped in modern slavery for a second time.  

Rip off the NRM “band-aid”

For Cynthia, the story has a happy ending. She finally received a positive decision from the NRM, sharing, “When I read the email, I felt like I could finally breathe again,”. For others, the outcome isn’t as happy. Before they get their decision, the “grey area” left by the NRM lands them in dodgy employment or worse, back in modern slavery.

Freedom United joins UDWA and other organizations pointing out the government in the UK is failing survivors and migrants with the “band-aid” of NRM. Stand with Freedom United and demand that governments implement genuine anti-trafficking safe migration policies. Because migrants and survivors deserve better than a band-aid.