PROPOSED CHANGES TO DOMESTIC WORKER VISA

Early day motion 992, tabled 21 February 2008 by Chris McCafferty (Labour). Signed by 92 members.

That this House notes the vulnerability of migrant domestic workers to exploitation and forced labour and the benefits of the existing domestic worker visa, which does not allow recourse to public funds, but does give the right to change employer, renew a visa (if in work) and apply for settlement after five years; believes strongly that the proposal to introduce a business visitor visa that will remove the right to change employer and restrict the maximum stay to six months will dramatically increase the power of abusive employers and the incidence of domestic slavery in the UK; and therefore strongly urges the Government to drop this proposal and retain the protections in the current visa system.

Signatures by party: Labour 52, Liberal Democrat 30, Conservative 5, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1.