In parliament last week I led a special debate about our government’s refusal to back an international convention giving rights to domestic workers.  The government had not intended to debate it but I made them.

Britain was one of only 8 governments to abstain on the convention, which is designed to give basic employment rights – such as fair pay and working hours, time off  and freedom to join a union - to people who work in the home, caring and cleaning.

And we were not in good company. I don’t think it feels comfortable to be backing places like Sudan and Thailand in denying rights, and to find our EU neighbours, the USA and other developed countries all supporting these rights.

I feel so strongly because I  have met people who were brought to Britain to be domestic workers who have ended up as slaves, their “owner” making them work all hours of the day, forcing them to sleep on the kitchen floor, to eat leftovers, and withholding their passports so that they are frightened of approaching the authorities for help.

200 years ago Britain abolished the slave trade, but it is growing again in the form of human trafficking.  In the worst cases people have been subject to physical and sexual abuse. I remember trying to help one young woman in Slough.  She had no immigration status, the family who had brought her in had said she was a visitor, they kept her passport saying they would get her permission to stay longer. They did not and when they left they abandoned her.

 When she came to me she was pregnant, had nowhere to live, no immigration status and was as scared of going back home as she was of staying in the UK.  She had not asked anyone for help until she realised that she would need health care for the baby.

A civilised society must protect people’s freedom and on this occasion Britain failed.  Since I held the debate I have received support from Christian Aid and Trade Union groups urging me not to give up.  I won’t