Migrants At Work is a lived-experience-led organisation that works alongside migrant workers to know, claim, and defend their rights in the UK.
Every year, the Home Office expands the shortage occupation list and issues thousands of sponsorship licences to employers. At the same time, migrants are blamed for "abusing" the system, while the system itself enables exploitation.
Through so-called safe and legal migration routes, workers are tied to employers under visa sponsorship, making it risky to speak up, refuse unsafe work, or leave exploitative conditions. Across all sectors, there is a power imbalance where exploitation can persist without breaking immigration rules.
Homegrown slavery: exploitation produced and sustained through state-managed migration pathways.
Do you need advice? If you're a migrant worker experiencing exploitation, unfair treatment, or problems at work, click on our Migrant Worker Information tab for more information.
Latest:
Anti-slavery Lived Experience Advisors Panel Summit
- Member of the Justice For Sponsored Workers group attended an all day summit in Westminster with the independent anti-slavery commissioner, Eleanor Lyons.
- They represented Migrants At Work and Justice For Sponsored Workers in sharing the groups views and opinions on the governments proposed new Immigration and Asylum Bill.
- "I was honoured to get the privilege to meet Eleanor Lyons. She committed her time to listen to concerns that I shared as a victim of modern day slavery. I was listened to and heard and I felt very confident and empowered to open up and share my experiences as a survivor with lived experience. And I believe meeting with her and the discussion we had, will bring a huge change within the UK system, policy makers as well as decision makers."
Training to Frontline Workers on 'Homegrown Slavery: When the NRM is not Enough'
- This practitioner-led training helps NRM referrers and First Responders understand the full spectrum of migrant worker exploitation, critically assess when NRM referrals are appropriate, and develop worker-centred alternatives where immigration status itself is a mechanism of coercion and harm.
- If this is something your organisation might be interested in receiving, please reach out via the button below.
The Real Cost of Coming to the UK:
- The system enables exploitation and we have the evidence. Read our latest research.
Migrant Workers Information Site:
- Check out our newly published Migrant Workers Information Site. Co-developed by Leicester Law School University Students, an expert by experience from our Justice For Sponsored Workers group and Migrants At Work.