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Domestic worker visa saved

The REC is delighted to see that the Government has reversed its plans to scrap the domestic worker visa.

Commenting on the U-turn, Anne Fairweather, the REC’s Head of Public Policy said: “Agencies that supply domestic workers were horrified to hear the Government’s plans first mooted two years ago to scrap the domestic worker visa.

“Many domestic workers escape abusive employment relationships with the families they are based with, through seeking new work opportunities through recruitment agencies. This route would have been closed down under the original plans.”

The REC has made representations to the Home Office on this matter and is pleased to see that theome current regime will continue for at least a further two years.

Fairweather continues: “Domestic workers often provide vital in-house support for busy families and may assist in the care of children and elderly relatives. It is simply not possible to recruit EU citizens for jobs based in private family homes. The Government needs to continue to assess the need for migrant workers to fill these jobs in a sensible manner.”

The Government’s plans to continue the current regime for domestic workers were announced in the UK Border Agency document “Government Response to the Consultation on Visitors” on 25th June 2008. The UKBA press release and document can be downloaded at: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/firmbutfairnewrulesforshortterm