Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what additional protection they have provided to foreign domestic workers in the UK since the passage of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Since 6 April 2016, those admitted as Overseas Domestic Workers (ODW) or as private servants in diplomatic households have been able to change employer during the validity of their visa; and those found to be victims of slavery or human trafficking have been able to extend their stay for up to two years.

Changes were also made to ensure those who are referred to the National Referral Mechanism within the validity of their visa will be able to continue working while their case is considered.

In 2017, the minimum age for ODWs was raised to 19 in order to guard against the recruitment of minors.

More recently, work has been undertaken to simplify the Immigration Rules and guidance governing the ODW route. We expect anyone wishing to employ domestic workers to do so in accordance with UK employment regulations. The simplified rules make this clear.