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Foreign Workers: Conditions of Employment

Volume 468: debated on Monday 26 November 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are in place to protect domestic workers of foreign diplomats in the UK from potential exploitation. (167021)

Private servants that work for foreign diplomats in the UK are protected from potential exploitation by UK law. We expect foreign diplomats to obey our laws and regulations and take seriously any alleged violation by those entitled to immunity. We would take appropriate action if any allegations of exploitation were to be brought to our attention.

Private servants of foreign diplomats that are recruited from overseas are also protected from potential exploitation by our entry clearance rules. These aim to ensure that foreign diplomats provide written confirmation of the terms and conditions of their workers' employment, together with a separate undertaking that their workers will be adequately maintained and accommodated. Private servants are also given details of where they can find out about their rights under the UK's criminal and employment laws.