James Ewins’ independent review of the Overseas Domestic Worker visa released today calls for an end to the current system which ties workers to their employers. 

The Modern Slavery Act does nothing to address the tying of migrant domestic workers to their employer because of immigration rules; a system which has repeatedly been evidenced to facilitate their abuse. 

The area of law which involves protection of the person can routinely subject lawyers and legal representatives to secondary trauma, burnout and compassion fatigue.

In September 2013, government proposed that anyone with uncertain or no immigration status within the previous year, or anyone not living here in the last 12 months, would be ineligible for legal aid.

Following our campaign with the charity Kalayaan and Justice for Domestic Workers, this year the Home Office changed its rules so that visas for overseas domestic workers will not be granted unless the employer agrees to pay the National Minimum Wage.

Following a nationwide campaign during the passage of the Modern Slavery Act, the government has agreed to a review of the Overseas Domestic Worker visa and promised to follow its recommendations.

The government has introduced a restriction on the right to recover the National Minimum Wage. This new restriction, while not aimed at victims of trafficking, is likely to impact overwhelmingly upon them.

The government has set out new plans to tackle labour exploitation but we are concerned about the lack of detail in these proposals and in their explanation about why existing enforcement tools are not being used to full effect before new ones are introduced.

Ms Taiwo and Ms Onu were subjected to abuse and exploitation as domestic workers by their employers. The Court of Appeal concluded that they had both been mistreated because of their status as vulnerable migrant workers and the Supreme Court will now consider the issue in April 2016.

ATLEU are concerned that the Immigration Bill 2015 will make life much harder for people who are trying to escape and recover from exploitation so we have submitted evidence to the House of Commons committee.

ATLEU is speaking at two events organised to mark Anti Slavery Day in London and Manchester

Our client Permila Tirkey speaks to BBC news to help stop others being kept in domestic servitude.