UK visa system trapping thousands in modern slavery

The UK’s skilled worker visa system was introduced to fill labor gaps in specific occupations. However, a recent investigation found this visa, along with other UK employment visas, is putting thousands of migrant workers at high risk for labor exploitation and falling into modern slavery. 

Reality of work “descended into a nightmare”  

A skilled worker visa is the main pathway taken by foreign nationals coming legally to work in the UK. This type of visa gives the right to live and work in the UK for five years with a qualifying job offer. After five years , they can apply to settle permanently (technically called “indefinite leave to remain”).  

This was the legal pathway to work taken by Kavin. He had traveled to the UK to work in a convenience store. It was owned by a neighbor his family knew back home. But things changed on his arrival. His sponsor immediately took away his phone, passport and visa after he landed. Forced to work long hours with no breaks and no time off, Kavin’s hopes and dreams turned into dust. 

Kavin told openDemocracy:  

I would cry sometimes, I did everything properly. I came to the UK on my visa. I could not accept that I had done everything properly, only to be in these modern slavery conditions.

At the end of a month of backbreaking labor, Kavin was finally paid £100 ($130 USD). Tellingly, when Kavin spoke to his manager, he threatened to fire him. An action that would mean Kavin lost not only his job, but potentially his right to stay in the UK. Sadly, a recent investigation finds that Kavin is not alone. Further, the exploitation is poised to worsen. 

System leaves workers “completely trapped”

Data reveals that between 2021 and 2024 thousands of migrant workers who entered the UK on work visas were referred to the National Referral Mechanism. That’s because short-term visas are leaving workers too dependent on their employers for their safety and wellbeing. According to the experts, the visa program is failing survivors. 

Kate Roberts, head of policy at Focus on Labor Exploitation (FLEX) said: 

Workers are left without avenues to complain or leave jobs with poor working conditions or abusive practices, locking them into exploitation. When the immigration rules make staying in that job a workers’ best option, the worker will stay, even if they are being exploited. Abusive employers rely on this.

And sadly, a recent government announcement means things are poised to get worse. A proposed change would require migrant workers to live in the UK for 10 years to qualify for ‘indefinite leave to remain’. On top of that, they would also have to pass a series of new “contribution-based tests”. 

Adis Sehic, policy manager at the Work Rights Centre stated: 

We are deeply concerned by the government’s plans to increase the time a visa worker must wait to apply for settlement from five to 10 years. This will put sponsored workers at risk for a decade and is likely to lead to more cases of modern slavery or human trafficking.

The overseas domestic worker visa has also been in the spotlight for fueling exploitation and modern slavery. And many workers on seasonal or healthcare visas have also reported working conditions akin to slavery. Saying they stayed silent in the face of the abuse in fear of losing the right to stay if they sought help.  

That’s why Freedom United and other advocates are calling for systemic change to the immigration system, not policies that increase workers’ risk. The only truly effective strategy must address the systems that make people vulnerable to exploitation in the first place, like ensuring safe migration pathways, and expanding survivor support.