As we approach the 11-year anniversary of restrictive changes to the Overseas Domestic Worker visa, an excellent piece from Evie Breeze in the Big Issue, with input from Kalayaan and two domestic workers, on how the system obstructs workers from changing employers or challenging abuse.
https://www.bigissue.com/news/employment/tied-visas-are-putting-migrant-domestic-workers-at-risk-of-abuse/
#DomesticWork #DomesticWorkers #Exploitation #WorkersRights #migration
‘Tied’ visas are putting migrant domestic workers at risk of abuse
Migrants who come to the UK on Overseas Domestic Worker visas are effectively "tied" to their employer, leaving them with few options
It makes a vital point towards the end: the UK has a crisis in NHS and social care recruitment, and many who arrive as domestic workers are keen to move into care work. Instead of facilitating this, the system obstructs them from as there is no general right to extend their visa.
Natalie Sedacca