PROPOSED CHANGES TO DOMESTIC WORKER VISA

Early day motion 860, tabled 7 February 2007 by Chris McCafferty (Labour). Signed by 97 members.

That this House recognises that Home Office proposals to change the domestic worker visa to a business visitor visa, removing the right to change employer and restricting the maximum stay to six months, are a complete reversal of previous government policy, which was intended to protect this category of often exploited and abused workers; notes with concern that the proposals will dramatically increase the power of abusive employers, and will make it impossible in practice for migrant domestic workers to access UK employment law, effectively legalising trafficking and domestic slavery of vulnerable workers; and therefore calls on the Government to retain the domestic worker visa giving the right to change employer, to renew a visa and to apply for settlement after five years.

Signatures by party: Labour 57, Liberal Democrat 30, Conservative 4, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent 1, Independent Labour 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.