The Modern Slavery Bill

In December 2013, the government published its Modern Slavery Bill. The Bill is intended to:

• consolidate existing criminal offences in slavery and trafficking;

• increase the maximum available sentence to life imprisonment; and

• create a new post of Anti-Slavery Commissioner.

However, while legislating to combat “modern slavery”, the government has also changed the visa system for domestic migrant workers, making it harder for them to escape exploitative employers. Since 6 April 2012, migrant workers have been banned from changing employers or renewing their visa beyond six months. For more information, see the website of campaigning charity Kalayaan — Justice for Migrant Domestic Workers at: www.kalayaan.org.uk.