abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Story

14 Nov 2023

UK: Work Rights Centre finds migrant workers at risk of exploitation through multiple govt. failings in sponsorship system

The UK NGO, Work Rights Centre, has released a report - Systemic Drivers of Migrant Worker Exploitation in the UK - analysing 40 cases of migrant workers at risk of exploitation. The report finds multiple failures in the government employer sponsorship system which leaves migrants at risk of labour exploitation.

From the perspective of migrant workers, sponsorship is akin to bonded labour. It hands employers the power to exploit migrants, knowing that it will be very hard for them to leave. We have seen many tragic cases where people come to accept exploitation. The work-sponsorship system needs urgent reform to prevent even more migrant workers being exploited.
Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol, chief executive of the Work Rights Centre

Work Rights Centre recommends the government adopts three key measures:

  1. Reform the Points Based Immigration system, to end dependency on sponsors and give migrant workers and businesses the flexibility they need.
  2. Strengthen protections for workers, including by introducing a well-resourced Single Enforcement Body with a data sharing firewall between labour and immigration enforcement.
  3. Appoint a Migrant Commissioner to lead on the development of a Migrant Worker Welfare Strategy, and coordinate efforts to identify and mitigate the risk of migrant worker exploitation in the long-term

Privacy information

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies. You can set your privacy choices below. Changes will take effect immediately.

For more information on our use of web storage, please refer to our Data Usage and Cookies Policy

Strictly necessary storage

ON
OFF

Necessary storage enables core site functionality. This site cannot function without it, so it can only be disabled by changing settings in your browser.

Analytics cookie

ON
OFF

When you access our website we use Google Analytics to collect information on your visit. Accepting this cookie will allow us to understand more details about your journey, and improve how we surface information. All analytics information is anonymous and we do not use it to identify you. Google provides a Google Analytics opt-out add on for all popular browsers.

Promotional cookies

ON
OFF

We share news and updates on business and human rights through third party platforms, including social media and search engines. These cookies help us to understand the performance of these promotions.

Your privacy choices for this site

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality.