From Pamela Lighthill
Sir, - How can MPs possibly justify their rejection of
amendments to the Modern Slavery Bill, as proposed by the House of
Lords (News, 27
March)?
Without these amendments, a domestic worker brought to this
country by his or her employer on a tied visa has little choice but
to stay with that employer, who may keep him or her in conditions
of abject slavery.
A worker who is aware of having no prospect of staying in the
UK, should he or she succeed in running away from that job and
finding alternative employment, is likely to submit to a life of
long hours, little food, exclusion from society, and physical
abuse.
Tied visas were introduced by this Government in 2012. Can this
really be called a Christian country? Does the coalition Government
or, for that matter, the Opposition only pay lip service to the
idea of ending slavery in the 21st century? Why do we not hear more
about justice for the oppressed in the election debates?
Pamela Lighthill
41A Coniston Road,London N10 2BL