Diplomats in London embassies using migrant domestic workers as “modern-day slaves”

LONDON - Diplomats at several London embassies have been accused of using migrant domestic workers as “modern-day slaves”, depriving them of food and subjecting them to abuse.

The migrant workers claim that they were lured to the United Kingdom with promises of good remuneration, but have been beaten, sexually abused and forced to sleep in a hallway or kitchen.

One worker recalled how she had fled from her employer, a South African diplomat, after being maltreated for months.

“I wasn’t being fed properly, was never given a day off and wasn’t paid for six months,” The Times quoted a 43-year-old woman, as saying.

“She used to scare me by saying, ‘If you leave this house, the CCTV will follow you and tell me where you are’. She had taken my passport” she added.

In the past 12 months, Kalayaan, a charity for migrant workers, has referred at least nine cases involving diplomats to a government scheme to combat trafficking.

“There is significant evidence that migrant workers are being trafficked into the UK by diplomats and are being abused and exploited,” said Jenny Moss, community advocate for Kalayaan, a charity for migrant workers.

Meanwhile, UK Home Secretary Alan Johnson will be presented with evidence of trafficking involving diplomats, and he faces calls by the all-party group on trafficking of women and children to safeguard such workers. (ANI)