Campaigns
Pledge Your Support for Migrant Domestic Workers Rights
Watch this video on why the pre-2012 Overseas Domestic Worker Visa is the best prevention against modern slavery, forced labour and trafficking.
1. Reinstate Rights of Migrant Domestic Workers
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Right to change employer without restrictions
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Right to renew the Visa
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Right to Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settlement
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Right to British Citizenship
Listen to our voice, we deserved to be heard!
Call to Action
1. Read our OPEN LETTER to the government to restore the rights of migrant domestic workers.
2. Write letter or email your MPs, feel free to use and amend our letter template.
Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWS) are are one of the most vulnerable groups of workers. Removing our rights in 2012 has left us unprotected, powerless and in severe exploitative work condition. When our employers stopped us from working without notice and pay during covid19 lockdown we couldn't claim our unpaid wages, we are afraid to go to the hospital when infected by this virus and some are even quarantined. We were deprived and forced to work long, unpaid hours including working for free on our days off. When parents and children were all at home during the lockdown, we worked up to 24 hours per day. We are essential workers too. Is asking the UK to value our work too much? We are carers to children, the elderly, and the disabled as well as having sole responsibility for general housework. Domestic work is work, and we should be protected as workers.
''My employer was positive in covid19, I wasn't told about her condition so I was infected too. It was scary to be alone and isolated. I also cannot get access to outside support. I thought I would never come out alive''.
The pre-2012 Overseas Domestic Worker Visa has prevented abuse of migrant domestic workers and protected MDWs as workers.
Do not exclude us. We are an important workforce. We look after families who are the building blocks of the United Kingdom.
Government response to our petition:
The Government does not intend to reinstate the visa category for Domestic Workers in a Private Household, which closed to new arrivals in April 2012.
2. Ratify and implement ILO C189, Decent Work For Domestic Workers
We are calling for the UK Government for the ratification and implementation of the International Labour Standard C189 to truly protect migrant domestic workers as workers. We have the right to privacy and decent work conditions, we are entitled to fair wage as agreed in the contract, we have the right to organise and join trade unions, the government have the responsibility to protect us against all forms of abuse, harassment, violence and forced labour, employers do not have right to take our documents and all other rights same as other workers have.
Call to Action
End Modern Slavery of migrant domestic workers in the UK
Recognise the valuable contribution of
migrant domestic workers,
Ratify ILO C189 Now! Decent Work for Domestic Workers.
Say NO to Slavery, YES to Workers Rights!
End Modern Slavery,
Ratify ILO C189, Decent Work For Domestic Workers
What happened to the Overseas Domestic Workers Visa on April 2012?
Watch this documentary of Justice for Domestic Workers (VODW previous name) made by Producer: Nuanza Cinta Adita
Director: Katie Latter
Editor: Gigi Ching Chui Chi
Sound: Catherine Tan
Cinematographer: Afzal Ahmed
Voiceless seeks to discover the effects of the new tied overseas domestic workers visa that was introduced by the UK government in April 2012. It follows a group called Justice for Domestic Workers and through them explores the issue of modern-day slavery and the knock-on effects of the policies implemented. Voiceless gives a voice to these vulnerable migrant domestic workers who leave their homes behind for a better future for their families.
How have visa changes shaped the lives of overseas domestic workers?
Was this visa change justified?
How have these workers made their voices heard?
© 2014 Goldsmiths, University of London.
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