Most migrant domestic workers brought to the UK by their employers face abuse and exploitation, a report claims.
Most migrant domestic workers brought to the UK by their employers face abuse and exploitation, a report claims.
The study by Oxfam and campaign group Kalayaan found that 10% had reported sexual abuse, 26% physical abuse and 72% psychological abuse from bosses.
Oxfam and campaign group Kalayaan found 10% of 312 people surveyed had reported sexual abuse, 26% physical abuse and 72% psychological abuse from bosses.
Oxfam's Kate Wareing said they were among "the most vulnerable and exploited people in the UK".
Oxfam's Kate Wareing said they were among "the most vulnerable and exploited people in the UK".
But a Home Office spokesperson said that measures protecting such employees were already in place.
But a Home Office spokesperson said that measures protecting such employees were already in place.
No time off
No time off
The report - entitled The New Bonded Labour? - argues that the workers, mostly poor women from developing countries brought into the UK by employers, are routinely ill-treated.
The report - entitled The New Bonded Labour? - argues that the workers, mostly poor women from developing countries brought into the UK by employers, are routinely ill-treated.
Of the staff registered in 2006 with Kalayaan - which campaigns for more rights for migrant domestic workers - 43% of workers said they had not been given their own bed, the study found.
Of the staff registered in 2006 with Kalayaan - which campaigns for more rights for migrant domestic workers - 43% of workers said they had not been given their own bed, the study found.
Additional action must be taken against abusive employers who break the law Kate RobertsKalayaan
'He used to force me to sleep with him'
As many as 41% reported that they had not been provided with regular meals, 70% said they were given no time off and 61% said they were not allowed out of the house without their employer's permission.
As many as 41% reported that they had not been provided with regular meals, 70% said they were given no time off and 61% said they were not allowed out of the house without their employer's permission.
Some of the 312 people interviewed for the study told researchers that they were paid as little as 50p an hour, that they had to work up to 16 hours a day and were on constant call to their bosses.
Some of the 312 people interviewed for the study told researchers that they were paid as little as 50p an hour, that they had to work up to 16 hours a day and were on constant call to their bosses.
One was blinded in one eye after her employer threw hot tea at her, and ran away after her employer's husband attempted to rape her.
One was blinded in one eye after her employer threw hot tea at her, and ran away after her employer's husband attempted to rape her.
Another migrant domestic worker, who was regularly beaten for three years, said staff like her were "treated like slaves".
Another migrant domestic worker, who was regularly beaten for three years, said staff like her were "treated like slaves".
Visa changes
Visa changes
Kate Roberts of Kalayaan said such stories were "unfortunately not unusual".
Kate Roberts of Kalayaan said such stories were "unfortunately not unusual".
She added: "Additional action must be taken against abusive employers who break the law â and more support provided for domestic workers."
She added: "Additional action must be taken against abusive employers who break the law â and more support provided for domestic workers."
Both Kalayaan and Oxfam welcomed moves by the Home Office to drop proposed visa changes which they say would have tied domestic workers to one employer.
Both Kalayaan and Oxfam welcomed moves by the Home Office to drop proposed visa changes which they say would have tied domestic workers to one employer.
But Ms Wareing said the government could do more to ensure that the police, health service workers, immigration and embassy officials and other authorities were aware of domestic migrant workers' rights.
But Ms Wareing said the government could do more to ensure that the police, health service workers, immigration and embassy officials and other authorities were aware of domestic migrant workers' rights.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We recently announced that we will keep the current entry route to the UK for overseas domestic workers, with all its protections, for two years.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We recently announced that we will keep the current entry route to the UK for overseas domestic workers, with all its protections, for two years.
"This was welcomed by key groups including the TUC and Oxfam."
"This was welcomed by key groups including the TUC and Oxfam."
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