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Prof Virginia Mantouvalou quoted in article on domestic workers fleeing modern slavery in the UK

8 September 2020

Professor Virginia Mantouvalou spoke to Al Jazeera news about the plight of overseas domestic workers in the UK during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Professor Virginia Mantouvalou

In an article published by Al Jazeera news today (‘The domestic workers fleeing modern slavery in the UK’), Professor Virginia Mantouvalou (Professor of Human Rights and Labour Law at UCL Laws) spoke about the issues faced by overseas domestic workers in the UK who are attempting to escape abusive employers and working conditions.

On the National Referral Mechanism, the UK's framework for modern slavery victims, Professor Mantouvalou said: “There is absolutely no guarantee that someone who has been ill-treated and possibly trafficked will manage to be recognised as a victim of trafficking.”

Professor Mantouvalou also explained why there are low conviction rates for modern slavery offence; and called for the rights of domestic workers to be strengthened.