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The Work Rights Centre is funded by charitable grants and individual donations. We offer expert advice from qualified solicitors and case workers to help the most disadvantaged people in Britain access employment justice and secure their immigration status.
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Case studies
A Ukrainian boy is reunited safely with his mother
When Olga Brandes-Shytikova first came to the UK to escape the war in Ukraine, she hoped her 11-year-old son, Mykyta, would join her soon. But when the government unexpectedly changed the eligibility requirements of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, she could no longer sponsor her own son, leaving him stranded in Ukraine. After a six-month battle with the Home Office, our immigration team secured discretionary leave, so Mykyta could reunite with his mother in the UK.
A migrant care worker wins thousands in interim relief
Our client, Kirankumar Rathod, paid £22,000 to an immigration agent in India to obtain a visa and job with a London care agency. He didn’t receive a single day of work or pay, and was dismissed when he complained. Our employment team supported him to sue his former employer for unpaid wages, unfair dismissal, and whistleblowing. With our help, Kiran won more than £16,000 in interim relief, a life-changing amount of money that has enabled him to support his family while the full case continues.
A Bulgarian woman who was assaulted at work gets compensation
For six months, Sofia* was subjected to sexual harassment and direct sex discrimination by the owner of the convenience store where she worked in East London. This culminated in a traumatic assault that left her with no choice but to return to Bulgaria for support from her family. After receiving legal support from our team, an Employment Tribunal judge awarded her £55,000 in compensation, and unpaid wages as she had been paid just £5 an hour. We are now focused on ensuring that the judgment is enforced.
An underpaid seasonal worker secures a transfer to a new farm
Kalysbek Tashmatov, a seasonal worker from Kyrgyzstan, reported that he was being underpaid while working on a farm in Northern Ireland. He requested a transfer to another farm, but the operator said they needed to investigate the situation first. Feeling a sense of injustice, Kalysbek resigned, leaving him unemployed with just £130 in savings. After he sought our help, we stepped in to explain the situation to the operator. Kalysbek was offered a placement at a different farm, which he gladly accepted.
A pregnant carer challenges false self-employment
When Samiyah* was sacked after requesting a day off for a midwife appointment, she immediately knew this was discrimination. But to make matters worse, Samiyah’s employer claimed she was self-employed, in a bid to wriggle out of affording her employment rights. We supported Samiyah to bring a case to the Employment Tribunal where a judge decided she was a ‘worker’ and should receive payment of unpaid wages and compensation. With her employment status decided, she can now sue for pregnancy discrimination.
A Polish man experiencing homelessness secures the right to work
Marcin* moved from Poland to the UK in 2007 to work, but unfortunately he became unwell. Unable to pay his rent, he became homeless and was diagnosed with cancer. Marcin missed the deadline to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, set up when Brexit happened, leaving him without the right to work or rent. Despite the difficulties in evidencing the length of his time in the UK, we helped Marcin submit a late EUSS application, granting him settled status. He is seeking work as a cleaner to get back on his feet.