UK Domestic Workers Petition Hand In

UK Domestic Workers Petition Hand In


At the end of March we visited the UK Home Office to hand in 61,310 of your names as part of our petition to the UK Home Secretary Theresa May.

Dear "el dispreciau",

At the end of March we visited the UK Home Office to hand in 61,310 of your names as part of our petition to the UK Home Secretary Theresa May.

We stood alongside our partners Justice for Domestic Workers, Kalayaan and Anti-Slavery International to urge the UK Government to introduce more protections for overseas domestic workers (ODW) at risk of modern slavery in the UK.

Check out the latest update on this campaign

“It was very important to meet the other people involved, to build relationships and be in true solidarity as we recognise the amazing work you all are doing.”
Tanya, Walk Free Supporter

Since our campaign started, the Government has made important first steps in recognising the risks to domestic workers who are unable to leave abusive employers, and have made some changes to the ODW visa, including:

• Allowing ODWs to change employer during their original 6 month visa to provide an immediate escape route from slavery.
• Providing ODWs with information on their rights and an open space to alert authorities to their situation in the form of a compulsory information, advice and support meeting within 42 days of their arrival in the UK.¹

While we applaud the government on taking first steps there is still more to be done to protect ODW from slavery.

The reality for many ODW is that by the time they pluck the courage or have an opportunity to leave abusive employers there may only be a short time left on their 6 month visa, making it almost impossible to find new employment.² This leaves them at risk of deportation or further illegal exploitation.

Luckily, an opportunity to change this is just round the corner - a new amendment has been introduced to the UK Immigration Bill, giving domestic workers the right to change their employer and remain in the country for an additional 2 years.³ We’re keeping a close eye on the Bill as it passes through Parliament and we’ll let you know if there’s a way you can help us make sure the amendment gets passed!

In the meantime, read about the latest progress here.

In solidarity,

Zoe, Joanna and the Walk Free team

¹Overseas Domestic Workers:Written statement - HCWS583

²Uk Government Continues to Facilitate Exploitation of Overseas Domestic Workers

³Government suffers two defeats in Lords on Immigration Bill