Kate Roberts
@k8roberts.bsky.social
Migration, migrant rights, labour rights, labour exploitation, anti-trafficking
Incredibly grateful for B. Hamwee for tabling an amendment to the Border Security, Immigration & Asylum Bill to make sure migrant domestic workers have protections as workers
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www.kalayaan.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Incredibly grateful for B. Hamwee for tabling an amendment to the Border Security, Immigration & Asylum Bill to make sure migrant domestic workers have protections as workers
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Reposted by Kate Roberts
The big hole in the new Employment Rights Act is that some workers still have to risk deportation to report labour abuses.
So pleased that Baroness Hamwee is supporting our call for migrant workers to be able to report bad employers without fear: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3929/s...
So pleased that Baroness Hamwee is supporting our call for migrant workers to be able to report bad employers without fear: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3929/s...
Unnumbered amendment to Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - Parliamentary Bills - UK Parliament
Baroness Hamwee's amendment After Clause 48 () to Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, proposed during Report stage
bills.parliament.uk
October 29, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The big hole in the new Employment Rights Act is that some workers still have to risk deportation to report labour abuses.
So pleased that Baroness Hamwee is supporting our call for migrant workers to be able to report bad employers without fear: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3929/s...
So pleased that Baroness Hamwee is supporting our call for migrant workers to be able to report bad employers without fear: bills.parliament.uk/bills/3929/s...
Great to see B. Hamwee's amendment calling for Secure Reporting tabled at Report Stage of the Border Security, Immigration & Asylum Bill. This is key to support encourage victims and witnesses of crime including labour exploitation to seek help labourexploitation.org/app/uploads/...
labourexploitation.org
October 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Great to see B. Hamwee's amendment calling for Secure Reporting tabled at Report Stage of the Border Security, Immigration & Asylum Bill. This is key to support encourage victims and witnesses of crime including labour exploitation to seek help labourexploitation.org/app/uploads/...
Always wonderful to spend time with @voiceofdws.bsky.social
This weekend @focusonlabour.bsky.social staff met with Voice of Domestic Workers to discuss the intersecting challenges of employment and migration.
We also looked at how the government's upcoming Fair Work Agency needs to work, for domestic workers to be able to work without risk of exploitation.
We also looked at how the government's upcoming Fair Work Agency needs to work, for domestic workers to be able to work without risk of exploitation.
October 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Always wonderful to spend time with @voiceofdws.bsky.social
Changes to the immigration rules will mean that from Nov agricultural Seaonal worker visa holders will be able to come to the UK twice in a 10 month period (down from 12). freemovement.org.uk/date-set-for...
Date set for commencement of new student, graduate and work immigration rules - Free Movement
New immigration rules were published today affecting a wide range of immigration routes. Most of the changes had already been announced in the earlier
freemovement.org.uk
October 15, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Changes to the immigration rules will mean that from Nov agricultural Seaonal worker visa holders will be able to come to the UK twice in a 10 month period (down from 12). freemovement.org.uk/date-set-for...
Reposted by Kate Roberts
📢 Vacancy closing soon! We are recruiting a Director of Operations at FLEX
If you’re passionate about building strong teams and systems that drive social justice, have a look 👇
Deadline: Monday 6 October 2025 (midday).
If you’re passionate about building strong teams and systems that drive social justice, have a look 👇
Deadline: Monday 6 October 2025 (midday).
OPPORTUNITY:
We are recruiting a Director of Operations, to lead the development and smooth running of the systems, processes, and culture that enables FLEX to deliver its mission effectively.
For more details on the role and how to apply, go to: labourexploitation.org/about-us/opp...
We are recruiting a Director of Operations, to lead the development and smooth running of the systems, processes, and culture that enables FLEX to deliver its mission effectively.
For more details on the role and how to apply, go to: labourexploitation.org/about-us/opp...
October 3, 2025 at 12:12 PM
📢 Vacancy closing soon! We are recruiting a Director of Operations at FLEX
If you’re passionate about building strong teams and systems that drive social justice, have a look 👇
Deadline: Monday 6 October 2025 (midday).
If you’re passionate about building strong teams and systems that drive social justice, have a look 👇
Deadline: Monday 6 October 2025 (midday).
It’s a real failing when even those who’ve battled a system where the odds are weighed against them to win an ET claim never actually receive the compensation they are owed
🚨 Our new investigation out today reveals how thousands of people who've taken their bosses to employment tribunals & won, never got paid, even after they approached the government for help.
This has serious implications for the Employment rights bill.
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...
This has serious implications for the Employment rights bill.
www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2025...
Thousands of rogue bosses get away with not paying tribunal awards
The government scheme ‘enforcing’ money owed to workers has been unsuccessful in a staggering three-quarters of cases
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:45 PM
It’s a real failing when even those who’ve battled a system where the odds are weighed against them to win an ET claim never actually receive the compensation they are owed
Reposted by Kate Roberts
The Tories employment tribunal fees were a disaster for access to justice and for rights at work.
This Labour government cannot undermine its own employment rights commitments by introducing them.
Just rule it out now.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
This Labour government cannot undermine its own employment rights commitments by introducing them.
Just rule it out now.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say
Exclusive: Reintroducing tribunal fees would be ‘a gift for bad bosses’, says TUC chief Paul Nowak
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The Tories employment tribunal fees were a disaster for access to justice and for rights at work.
This Labour government cannot undermine its own employment rights commitments by introducing them.
Just rule it out now.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
This Labour government cannot undermine its own employment rights commitments by introducing them.
Just rule it out now.
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
Reposted by Kate Roberts
📢Watch @josephinewy.bsky.social our Head of Advocacy talking on @news.sky.com about why digital ID is a distraction from the real everyday issues people are facing in this country.
September 26, 2025 at 2:27 PM
📢Watch @josephinewy.bsky.social our Head of Advocacy talking on @news.sky.com about why digital ID is a distraction from the real everyday issues people are facing in this country.
Fantastic resource to help demystify parliament. Have you seen this @voiceofdws.bsky.social drive.google.com/file/d/17ic4...
Westminster-campaign-guide.pdf
drive.google.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Fantastic resource to help demystify parliament. Have you seen this @voiceofdws.bsky.social drive.google.com/file/d/17ic4...
The @freemovement.bsky.social explainer I’ve been waiting for - a step by step to the evolving migration lists 👏
freemovement.org.uk/explainer-na...
freemovement.org.uk/explainer-na...
Explainer: navigating the Shortage Occupation List, Immigration Salary List and Temporary Shortage List - Free Movement
If you’ve been trying to keep up with the UK’s ever-shifting work visa landscape, you’re not alone. Over the years, the government’s method of defining which
freemovement.org.uk
September 11, 2025 at 9:46 AM
The @freemovement.bsky.social explainer I’ve been waiting for - a step by step to the evolving migration lists 👏
freemovement.org.uk/explainer-na...
freemovement.org.uk/explainer-na...
Reposted by Kate Roberts
"Harassers get away with it, employers fail to deal with the problem, and enforcement is unable to do anything about it. Yet again, women workers pay the price for the failure of the systems responsible for protecting their welfare."
Read FLEX's CEO Lucila Granada in @opendemocracy.net
Read FLEX's CEO Lucila Granada in @opendemocracy.net
Women working on UK farms report sexual harassment and financial insecurity
Women working on UK farms report sexual harassment and financial insecurity
New paper reveals stark gender inequalities with the Seasonal Worker Scheme, which government recently renewed
bit.ly
August 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
"Harassers get away with it, employers fail to deal with the problem, and enforcement is unable to do anything about it. Yet again, women workers pay the price for the failure of the systems responsible for protecting their welfare."
Read FLEX's CEO Lucila Granada in @opendemocracy.net
Read FLEX's CEO Lucila Granada in @opendemocracy.net
Defra’s surveys of workers on the UK’s agricultural Seasonal Worker visa reveal serious questions about elements of the scheme. At what point will these finally be enough for an overhaul of the scheme?
labourexploitation.org/news/defras-...
labourexploitation.org/news/defras-...
Defra’s survey of the Seasonal Worker Scheme: What is the Threshold for Change? – FLEX
Defra’s surveys of workers on the UK’s agricultural Seasonal Worker visa reveal serious questions about elements of the scheme. At what point will these finally be enough…
labourexploitation.org
July 18, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Defra’s surveys of workers on the UK’s agricultural Seasonal Worker visa reveal serious questions about elements of the scheme. At what point will these finally be enough for an overhaul of the scheme?
labourexploitation.org/news/defras-...
labourexploitation.org/news/defras-...
Reposted by Kate Roberts
With unfair costs already being paid by migrant workers, we back the Employer Pays Principle as a means to reduce the risk of exploitation in the Seasonal Worker Scheme.
Read our joint statement on the Employers Pay Principle Feasibility Study: labourexploitation.org/news/seasona...
Read our joint statement on the Employers Pay Principle Feasibility Study: labourexploitation.org/news/seasona...
Seasonal Worker Interest Group (SWIG) Statement – response to The Employer Pays Principle (EPP) Feasibility Study – FLEX
On 8 July 2025, the “Employer Pays Principle Feasibility Study within the Horticulture Value Chain” was published by Alma Economics following co-commissioning by the Department of Environment,…
labourexploitation.org
July 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
With unfair costs already being paid by migrant workers, we back the Employer Pays Principle as a means to reduce the risk of exploitation in the Seasonal Worker Scheme.
Read our joint statement on the Employers Pay Principle Feasibility Study: labourexploitation.org/news/seasona...
Read our joint statement on the Employers Pay Principle Feasibility Study: labourexploitation.org/news/seasona...
Reposted by Kate Roberts
It was hard while developing this piece to see @focusonlabour.bsky.social excellent push for a Fair Work Agency firewall, resulting in amendment 273PA tabled by Baroness Hamwee in HoL Employment Rights Bill debate, then discarded under the illusion of 'protection of vulnerable migrants from harm'
July 15, 2025 at 12:17 PM
It was hard while developing this piece to see @focusonlabour.bsky.social excellent push for a Fair Work Agency firewall, resulting in amendment 273PA tabled by Baroness Hamwee in HoL Employment Rights Bill debate, then discarded under the illusion of 'protection of vulnerable migrants from harm'
Important @hannahjlewis.bsky.social critique of the damage caused by the victim narrative in anti trafficking discourse, especially in the context of @helenbamber.bsky.social @ecpatuk.bsky.social & ATLEU finding in 2024 only 4% of non British nationals confirmed as trafficked were granted leave
“Put a man on the front of our magazine and our donations will drop.”
On who gets to be a victim, and why anti-trafficking orgs haven't yet abandoned rescue narratives ✍️ @hannahjlewis.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
On who gets to be a victim, and why anti-trafficking orgs haven't yet abandoned rescue narratives ✍️ @hannahjlewis.bsky.social
www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-tr...
Could anti-trafficking survive without victims to rescue?
Critics demand that anti-trafficking organisations abandon rescue narratives. Here’s why they don’t
www.opendemocracy.net
July 15, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Important @hannahjlewis.bsky.social critique of the damage caused by the victim narrative in anti trafficking discourse, especially in the context of @helenbamber.bsky.social @ecpatuk.bsky.social & ATLEU finding in 2024 only 4% of non British nationals confirmed as trafficked were granted leave
96% of trafficked people who, as non British nationals, consented to enter the UK's National Referral Mechanism & were found by the UK govt's identification system to be trafficked were not granted leave.
Imagine speaking up, providing evidence, waiting & the positive decision cutting you adrift.
Imagine speaking up, providing evidence, waiting & the positive decision cutting you adrift.
🚨 Thousands of trafficking survivors continue to be denied permission to stay in the UK despite their critical need for safety and support — a new report by @helenbamber.bsky.social, ATLEU & @ecpatuk.bsky.social reveals.
Instead survivors are left in fear and at risk of further exploitation. 🧵1/3
Instead survivors are left in fear and at risk of further exploitation. 🧵1/3
July 15, 2025 at 9:23 AM
96% of trafficked people who, as non British nationals, consented to enter the UK's National Referral Mechanism & were found by the UK govt's identification system to be trafficked were not granted leave.
Imagine speaking up, providing evidence, waiting & the positive decision cutting you adrift.
Imagine speaking up, providing evidence, waiting & the positive decision cutting you adrift.
Still time to apply for this key role at FLEX ⬇️
Opportunity: FLEX is looking for a passionate advocate to build networks and relationships, and improve law, policy and practice affecting worker in high-risk sectors in the UK.
Apply before 20th July!
Apply before 20th July!
July 7, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Still time to apply for this key role at FLEX ⬇️
When immigration policy ignores labour realities, it doesn’t end exploitation; it enables it.
Read our analysis of the implementation of the Immigration White paper, planned for 22 July, and what this means for labour exploitation, here 👇
Read our analysis of the implementation of the Immigration White paper, planned for 22 July, and what this means for labour exploitation, here 👇
Today the government confirmed "major immigration reforms delivered to restore order and control".
The reality of these reforms? Chaos for people's lives, undermining workers' rights, and driving exploitation.
Read FLEX's emergency analysis here: labourexploitation.org/news/emergen...
The reality of these reforms? Chaos for people's lives, undermining workers' rights, and driving exploitation.
Read FLEX's emergency analysis here: labourexploitation.org/news/emergen...
July 1, 2025 at 8:43 PM
When immigration policy ignores labour realities, it doesn’t end exploitation; it enables it.
Read our analysis of the implementation of the Immigration White paper, planned for 22 July, and what this means for labour exploitation, here 👇
Read our analysis of the implementation of the Immigration White paper, planned for 22 July, and what this means for labour exploitation, here 👇
Reposted by Kate Roberts
The only thing delivery bikes outside hotels prove is that the ban on work for asylum seekers must end, says charity Asylum Matters.
Lifting the ban on work for asylum seekers is simple common sense
www.bigissue.com
July 1, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The only thing delivery bikes outside hotels prove is that the ban on work for asylum seekers must end, says charity Asylum Matters.
Reposted by Kate Roberts
Or, here's an idea: we could just let people work, pay taxes, and start rebuilding their lives?
Banning work exposes people to exploitation & abuse - if you want to end illegal working, it's pretty simple: lift the ban, and let people seeking asylum work legally.
Banning work exposes people to exploitation & abuse - if you want to end illegal working, it's pretty simple: lift the ban, and let people seeking asylum work legally.
UK food delivery firms step up checks after claims of illegal workers
Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat to increase use of facial verification after ministers raise concerns
www.theguardian.com
July 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Or, here's an idea: we could just let people work, pay taxes, and start rebuilding their lives?
Banning work exposes people to exploitation & abuse - if you want to end illegal working, it's pretty simple: lift the ban, and let people seeking asylum work legally.
Banning work exposes people to exploitation & abuse - if you want to end illegal working, it's pretty simple: lift the ban, and let people seeking asylum work legally.
FLEX report ‘Caring about workers rights’ explains how a future Fair Work Agency should adopt mechanisms such as Secure Reporting to make sure workers on restrictive work visas in high risk sectors can access rights
labourexploitation.org/publications...
labourexploitation.org/publications...
June 27, 2025 at 7:48 AM
FLEX report ‘Caring about workers rights’ explains how a future Fair Work Agency should adopt mechanisms such as Secure Reporting to make sure workers on restrictive work visas in high risk sectors can access rights
labourexploitation.org/publications...
labourexploitation.org/publications...
Reposted by Kate Roberts
Really important for many reasons for climate sector to engage in migration policy outside of just climate refugees. Migration policy affects key govt. commitments including this, and ending child poverty, VAGW and homelessness.
Will the British government's immigration proposals hamper its net zero and housebuilding missions? There are certainly risks, and there may be a tricky balancing act with special treatment for certain occupations. Thread on my latest report, here: www.cer.eu/publications...
Reconciling UK migration policy with the energy transition
Many foreign workers that are needed to deliver the British government's net zero mission will not meet its higher salary and skills thresholds for visas.
www.cer.eu
June 20, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Really important for many reasons for climate sector to engage in migration policy outside of just climate refugees. Migration policy affects key govt. commitments including this, and ending child poverty, VAGW and homelessness.
Reposted by Kate Roberts
Thank you to Baroness Hamwee for tabling this vital amendment on secure reporting.
The Employment Rights Bill aims to strengthen workers' rights and safety; but until migrant workers can report abuse without fear, exploitation will remain undeterred.
The Employment Rights Bill aims to strengthen workers' rights and safety; but until migrant workers can report abuse without fear, exploitation will remain undeterred.
June 19, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Thank you to Baroness Hamwee for tabling this vital amendment on secure reporting.
The Employment Rights Bill aims to strengthen workers' rights and safety; but until migrant workers can report abuse without fear, exploitation will remain undeterred.
The Employment Rights Bill aims to strengthen workers' rights and safety; but until migrant workers can report abuse without fear, exploitation will remain undeterred.
Looking to work to improve workers’ rights and address risks of exploitation? Apply to join our team and build on the brilliant work of @pwielt.bsky.social ⬇️
Opportunity: FLEX is looking for a passionate advocate to build networks and relationships, and improve law, policy and practice affecting worker in high-risk sectors in the UK.
Apply before 20th July!
Apply before 20th July!
June 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Looking to work to improve workers’ rights and address risks of exploitation? Apply to join our team and build on the brilliant work of @pwielt.bsky.social ⬇️