The REC also gave recognition to the contributions of domestic workers in the country, saying that they make “a net contribution to the Exchequer and provide essential care and support to many families and individuals.”
The group also presented a case wherein a migrant domestic worker was subjected to abuse but was able to seek redress because of the ODW system.
“Ramila from India was raped by her employer and then thrown out of the house. Because she has an ODW visa and because she had not breached any immigration rules she was able to call the police and report what happened. Kalayaan assisted her through her period of recovery and eventually Ramila was able to work for a new family. Under the new proposals Ramila would have not been able to contact the police without facing deportation and then removal from the UK,” Kalayaan said.
Stop and prevent trafficking
It’s only the migrant support groups that support the retention of the ODW visa in the United Kingdom. Other quarters have hailed it as an effective measure to preventi trafficking and protects migrant domestic workers from exploitation.
The Home Affairs Select Committee enquiry on trafficking said retaining the migrant ODW visa “is the single most important issue in preventing the forced labour and trafficking of such workers.”’ It said that the threat of illegality is one of the main tools used by traffickers to coerce their victims.
“Women will be faced with the choice of continuing to suffer or fleeing and becoming destitute and “illegal,” the committee said.
The Kalayaan support network also insisted that removing the visa is likely only to deter good employers, many of whom are wealthy investors and highly skilled migrants, from coming to the UK.
“Unscrupulous employers will evade immigration control and continue to bring domestic workers to the UK. Evidence shows that border checks are unable to prevent this. By driving the problem underground, the vulnerability of domestic workers will increase as they will have no escape route. If they do escape, fear of the authorities will prevent themfrom coming forward for support,” it said.
On the matter of settlement rights, Kalayan said achieving settlement gives domestic workers some independence from their employer.
“It means they are able to take control of their own lives and assists with integration into the UK. Settlement is not an unrestricted right. Migrant domestic workers must meet the criteria laid down by the government including having full time work as a domestic worker, that they have not used public funds, have passed the required English and Citizenship test, and that they are of ‘good character,’” it said.
Finally, the migrant support network said under the proposals, the government’s expenses will also increase. It said many current victims of trafficking when they have recovered are often able to find new work without relying on taxpayer-funded support.
“Without the ODW visa or the right to change employer this would be impossible. Over a two year period it is likely that costs to the government would increase by £850, 000 (US$1,385,585) for the accommodation and maintenance alone of the victims,” it said. 
