‘He didn’t have a contract for me’: the Indian careworkers who paid agents to work in Britain
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Jul 2024
Location: United Kingdom
Companies
Flamelily Care - Employer , London Radiant Group - Other Value Chain Entity , Brittish Group - Other Value Chain EntityAffected
Total individuals affected: 2
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - India , Health and social care , Men , Documented migrants )Issues
Contract Substitution , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Irregular Work , Recruitment Fees , Dismissal , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure TimeResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: The owner of London Radiant Group told the Guardian he provided logistical support for incoming migrants such as training and accommodation, for which he charged a varying fee. He said "We as a company help other overseas businesses for their customers in onboarding such as airport pickups, accommodation, general training through third-party providers...For these reasons there is a fee that we charge depending on the level of support, however we do not provide any certificate of sponsorship or employment to anybody.” Flamelily said: “The claims made about our company offering nonexistent or unsuitable work opportunities to migrant workers are categorically false. Flamelily Care Ltd operates transparently and ethically, and we are committed to upholding the welfare and rights of all employees and visa applicants... “In response to these allegations, we are launching our own internal investigation to thoroughly examine these accusations and ensure that our practices align with our values and legal obligations. We are also liaising with legal advisers to understand the full scope of these claims and take appropriate action.”
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 2 Jul 2024
Location: United Kingdom
Companies
Homecare1st - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 12
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - India - Sector unknown , Women , Documented migrants ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Health and social care , Men )Issues
Minimum Wage , Denial of leave , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Access to Justice & Legal Protection , Recruitment Fees , Access to Information , Contract SubstitutionResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: The company told journalists: “All employees are aware of the channels within the company to raise any concerns they may have, if they wish, and none were raised.”
Source type: News outlet
… The Guardian has spoken to dozens of migrant workers, all of whom described going through similar experiences…
Jenny paid Sebastian £16,000 [in recruitment charges]…
…Jenny was introduced to a British intermediary. In his case this was a company called London Radiant Group, run by a man called Yusuf Badarudeen…
Badarudeen said in a statement: “We as a company help other overseas businesses for their customers in onboarding such as airport pickups, accommodation, general training through third-party providers…
… Sebastian gave Jenny a certificate of sponsorship endorsed by Flamelily…
Jenny got almost nothing he says he was promised…
Ambooken paid Badarudeen for what he said he thought were immigration services, putting over £2,000 in a UK account belonging to …Brittish Group Ltd [sic]…
Matewe said: “The claims made about our company offering nonexistent or unsuitable work opportunities to migrant workers are categorically false. Flamelily Care Ltd operates transparently and ethically, and we are committed to upholding the welfare and rights of all employees and visa applicants.”…
She was due to work for a care provider called Homecare1st, which sponsored her visa. ..
Mwenya told the Guardian: “All employees are aware of the channels within the company to raise any concerns they may have, if they wish, and none were raised.”…