Freed victims of human trafficking are to be granted the right to stay in Britain temporarily, the Government will announce.
The Home Office will announce plans to sign the European Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings.
The agreement offers victims - such as women sold into the sex trade - the right to at least 30 days' grace after escaping the clutches of evil people smugglers.
Ministers have until now refused to join the agreement, which is designed to give victims time to recover from their ordeal and reflect on whether they will help police prosecute offenders.
There were fears it could be abused by illegal immigrants and even act as a "pull factor" to Britain.
But the move is likely to win cross-party backing after the Conservatives urged ministers to sign the convention earlier this year.
Shadow home secretary David Davis said the step was vital for "moral reasons" in a bid to protect exploited victims, some of whom are forced to have sex with up to 40 men a day.
Despite his party's previous opposition to signing the convention, Mr Davis said he was confident it would not attract more immigrants to Britain.
There are an estimated 4,000 victims of trafficking working in prostitution in the UK during 2003.
Another estimate put the figure at 10,000 in London and the Midlands alone.
