Zimbabwean worker whose visa relies on job says government disclosed confidential details of interview to employer
A victim of suspected labour abuse who confidentially disclosed details of exploitation to government investigators says she has been subjected to threats and intimidation after she was outed to her employer.
The Zimbabwean national, 25, was interviewed by Home Office compliance officers for an investigation into illegal recruitment practices and told them she had paid a fee of about 1,500 to an agent who arranged for a care home in Surrey to sponsor her visa.
It is illegal to charge a worker a fee for finding them work and the government has pledged to stop the practice, which can leave victims at risk of modern slavery.
The worker, who was interviewed with several colleagues, claims she was given assurances by the interviewer that her identity would not be disclosed. But days after the interview, she was contacted by her employer asking why she had cooperated. The care home had been sent her name and details of her comments, including the claims about abusive practices and the illegal fees, according to documents seen by the Observer.
The woman, who arrived in the UK in March 2022, said she had since been threatened by her employer, who questioned why she had complied with the investigation, and accused of misconduct in an appraisal. Her visa is reliant on her job with the company, meaning she might have to leave the UK if her sponsorship is revoked.
She...
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