The UK Government has introduced an important immigration change to protect migrant workers who have suffered exploitation and modern slavery.
Under the new rules, individuals holding Skilled Worker visas who receive a positive “conclusive grounds” decision through the National Referral Mechanism will no longer be tied to the employer responsible for their sponsorship. They will be permitted to leave an abusive workplace and work for another employer for the remainder of their existing visa without putting their immigration status at risk.
Previously, many sponsored workers feared that reporting exploitation or leaving their employer could result in the loss of their job, sponsorship and right to remain in the UK. This vulnerability could be misused by rogue employers to underpay workers, impose excessive hours, withhold wages or subject them to threatening and degrading working conditions.
The reform is particularly significant for migrant workers in sectors such as social care, hospitality and catering, where concerns about exploitation have frequently been raised.
Migration and Citizenship Minister Jo White said that no victim of modern slavery should be trapped with an exploitative employer because of their immigration status. The Government has also promised stronger enforcement against abusive sponsors, including licence revocation and referral to the police where criminal conduct is identified.
This is a welcome step towards ensuring that immigration sponsorship cannot be used as a tool of control. However, workers must first be formally recognised as victims through the National Referral Mechanism before benefiting from the protection.
Written from:LIIE IMMIGRATION
