Independent Reviewer calls for an end to the UK's tied visa system

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. Migrant domestic workers who accompany an employer to the UK for employment in their private household have since April 2012 been tied by the immigration rules to their employer. Mr Ewins' review recognises that the right to change employers is a fundamental protection for migrant domestic workers.

The review also endorses ATLEU's proposal that all overseas domestic workers who are to work in diplomatic households should, as a condition of the sponsorship licence, be employees of the mission, not of individual diplomats. 

The Independent review of the ODW visa was commissioned following commitments made within the Modern Slavery Act. The Government has stated it is their intention to implement the review’s recommendations.

Read Kalayaan's press release here and read the report in full here.