Modern Slavery Bill — Rights for Overseas Domestic Workers — 17 Mar 2015 at 14:45

The majority of MPs voted not to give those on domestic work visas a right to change their employer, renew their visa for periods of up to a year if they remain in employment and able to support themselves, and where there is evidence a worker has been the victim of modern slavery, live in the UK for up to three months for the purpose of seeking alternative employment.

The motion passed by the majority of MPs in this vote was:

• That this House disagrees with Lords amendment 72.

Lords amendment 72^[2] sought to introduce a new clause to the Bill titled "Protection from slavery for overseas domestic workers" stating:

• All overseas domestic workers in the United Kingdom, including those working for staff of diplomatic missions, shall be entitled to—
• (a) change their employer (but not work sector) while in the United Kingdom;
• (b) renew their domestic worker or diplomatic domestic worker visa, each such renewal being for a period not exceeding twelve months, as long as they remain in employment and are able to support themselves without recourse to public funds;
• (c) a three month temporary visa permitting them to live in the United Kingdom for the purposes of seeking alternative employment as an overseas domestic worker where there is evidence that the worker has been a victim of modern slavery.”

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• [1] Parliament's webpage on the Modern Slavery Bill (now an Act)
• [2] Amendment sheet containing Lords amendment 72

Debate in Parliament | Source |