"False Domestic Abuse Claims": Exception, Not the Norm - Southall Black Sisters We are aware of the BBC’s investigation into allegations of individuals facilitating false domestic abuse claims via the Migrant Victims of

Read the full statement: southallblacksisters.org.uk/news/false-d...

The BBC’s claims do not reflect reality.

Our organisations see victim-survivors facing suspicion, delays and barriers to safety. Misuse is the exception, not the norm.

With 92 organisations, we reject this framing and call for evidence-led change ooted in lived experience.

Precarious by design: How the Seasonal Worker Scheme can drive irregularity From politicians to the media, there is a prevailing narrative that migrants with irregular status have chosen to commit some moral failure. If only migrants did the right thing, we are told, then irr...

Read the briefing: labourexploitation.org/publications...

From government and the media, we are constantly told that irregular migrants have chosen to commit some moral failure.

In FLEX’s new briefing, we analyse how irregularity is directly connected to the government’s design of migration routes.

Building a Fair Work Agency that works for all We tackle poverty and inequality in London

This didn't make it into the piece, but a coalition of frontline organisations including @focusonlabour.bsky.social, ELAN, @lawrsuk.bsky.social, @workrights.bsky.social, & @goodjobsfirst.org have made other demands, including safe reporting for migrant workers. trustforlondon.org.uk/research/bui...

Building a Fair Work Agency that works for all We tackle poverty and inequality in London

We also join the calls to properly resource the FWA and to publish transparent enforcement data, covering inspection activity, enforcement actions, sector-specific patterns and the balance between proactive and reactive work.

More here: trustforlondon.org.uk/research/bui...

Preventing and Addressing Abuse and Exploitation: A Guide for Police and Labour Inspectors Working with Migrants This joint publication by FLEX and the Latin American Women's Rights Service (LAWRS) highlights the negative impact of data-sharing between the police/labour inspectors and immigration enforcement on ...

To be effective, the FWA must ensure that all workers can report problems in practice.

One in five UK workers was born abroad. The FWA needs secure reporting, so migrant workers are able to report exploitation without the risk of having their information shared with authorities.

A Single Enforcement Body: What an effective Single Enforcement Body looks like An effective enforcement body will be accessible to workers, proactive and deliver enforcement results. This policy briefing presents six priorities for an effective labour market enforcement system a...

For years, labour market enforcement functions have been spread across departments and agencies.

A single enforcement body like the FWA will make it easier for workers to navigate and enforce their rights.

Read: labourexploitation.org/publications...

Today, the Fair Work Agency launches. It is essential that it has the resources, powers, understanding and implementation to regulate effectively.

As part of this coalition, we've released a new briefing on how to make the Fair Work Agency work for all workers. A key priority is to ensure that migrant workers feel safe enough to report abuse. A robust firewall allows them to do so without fear.

Read the briefing here! ⬇️

Building a Fair Work Agency that works for all We tackle poverty and inequality in London

We are pleased to be part of a coalition calling for 3 priorities to make sure the Fair Work Agency works for all workers:
✅ Proper resourcing
✅ A firewall from Immigration Enforcement so migrant workers can report abuse safely
✅ Transparent enforcement data

www.trustforlondon.org.uk/fwa-briefing

With thanks to LEAG members @britishredcross.bsky.social @kalayaan.org.uk @lawrsuk.bsky.social @thepassage.bsky.social @unitetheunion.bsky.social @workrights.bsky.social

Fair For All Workers: How learning from Australia’s Workplace Justice Visa can support access to worker’s rights in the UK The UK government has promised that the Employment Rights Act (ERA) would bring about the biggest upgrade to workers rights in a generation. It has also introduced the Fair Work Agency (FWA), a unifie...

Two years ago, Australia introduced a Workplace Justice visa so that workers wouldn't be prevented by their immigration status from bringing an employment claim.
With the UK's Fair Work Agency launching in April LEAG has pulled together learnings for the UK
labourexploitation.org/publications...

Congratulations from all of us at FLEX to Marissa. Its great to see Marissa's groundbreaking work for justice for migrant domestic workers at @voiceofdws.bsky.social be recognised by @bigissue.com

Angela Rayner warns against 'un-British' immigration reforms Most migrant workers will have to wait longer to qualify for permanent residence under the government's proposals.

Great to see opposition to the proposed settlement reforms.
In addition to moving the goal posts, proposals would lock people into decades of multiple dependencies on their employer, undermining the ambitions of the Employment Rights Act and Fair Work Agency
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The government's updated its guidance for migrant seasonal farm workers with this helpful advice: If your boss makes you feel unsafe, talk to your boss about it! If that doesn't work, talk to the recruiter your boss pays.

Nothing about unions, legal advice, enforcement bodies...

A workforce with long term dependencies on employer- sponsors will be less able to challenge exploitation, will be fearful of reporting exploitation and will be less able to avail of workers rights.
The settlement proposals must be rethought to avoid the creation of a two tier workforce
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As set out in our written evidence we believe the reforms will increase risks of exploitation for migrant workers who are supporting key sectors of the UK economy. A workforce spending years with a temporary status drives multiple dependencies committees.parliament.uk/writtenevide...
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The inquiry also notes the lack of clarity on the implementation of the proposals including on timeline and the distress this uncertainty has caused to individuals who may be effected and that moving people onto longer pathways to settlement will necessitate more flexible visa arrangements.
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The Home Affairs Select Committee's report on their inquiry into earned settlement was published last week.
committees.parliament.uk/publications...
This and further scrutiny is vital given the far reaching & cross cutting nature of proposed reforms. The Cmtee recognises this in recommendations
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Migrant fishers already face high risks of poor conditions and exploitation. And yet, government reforms mean that by December, migrant fishers will be thrown into even greater risk.

Read about how we navigate this oncoming storm: www.ethicaltrade.org/resources/bl...

Survivors of trafficking are regularly subjected to immigration detention and retraumatised.

Amid a legal aid crisis that's even worse in detention, they are trapped, with no way of getting desperately needed advice and support.

Uneven fields: women workers’ experiences of the Seasonal Worker Scheme For years, Focus on Labour Exploitation and other organisations have raised the alarm about the Seasonal Worker Scheme, and the ways in which its design facilitates exploitation. What has gone unaddre...

Read our briefing to understand more: labourexploitation.org/publications...

#IWD2026

It is on us to ensure that these women's experiences are not isolated, but understood and addressed at the highest levels.

For labour market enforcement on the route to be accessible to women workers in practice, we've outlined key principles for the Fair Work Agency to follow:

At the same time, there are specific issues that women on the Scheme experience.

From being the only women in cramped accommodation units, to reports of managers asking for sex from women workers, the stories women tell make clear how big a problem this is.

Gendered dynamics often mean that risks of exploitation faced by all workers are worse for women.

For example, when women on the Seasonal Worker Scheme were asked if they had ever been paid lower than promised, 27% said yes. 16% of men said the same. That isn't just a blip.

Last year, FLEX published Uneven Fields, a briefing on women on the Seasonal Worker Scheme.

Risks of labour exploitation, from debt bondage to unsafe living conditions, can be heightened by gendered dynamics for women workers on the scheme.

#IWD2026

The Right to work is very different to cutting support from people seeking asylum. People seeking safety who are ready to work need support and options. Keeping people temporary while mandating work or destitution will drive exploitation.

See the #LiftTheBan statement @asylummatters.bsky.social

Senior Policy Officer, Dr Sophie Cartwright, has written for @bordercrim.bsky.social about access to legal advice in detention.

JRS UK's research last year highlighted how difficult it was for people in immigration detention to access any legal support.

📖Read more: www.jrsuk.net/accessing-le...

@jrsuk.bsky.social @lawrsuk.bsky.social @unseenuk.bsky.social Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group; Hibiscus; Snowdrop Project