OVERSEAS DOMESTIC WORKER VISA

That this House notes that on 6 April 2012 the Government made several changes to the overseas domestic worker visa which removed the rights of migrant domestic workers to change employer; further notes that these workers are now given visas that are valid for a maximum period of six months and only for employment with a named employer; recognises that migrant domestic workers are especially vulnerable to exploitation and that the new visas give them even less protection from mistreatment; calls on the Government to restore the previous rights of migrant domestic workers, including the right to change employer, the right to renew the domestic worker visa while still in the UK and the right to family reunion; and urges the Government to extend these rights also to domestic workers in diplomatic households.