UK: EU Plants faces landmark employment claim brought by migrant on seasonal scheme over claims of wage theft, six-day weeks & lack of protective equipment
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There are many people who have suffered exploitation who cannot speak out about their situation…I hope that my case will be a source of inspiration to them. I want other workers to know that they can challenge employers who underpay or mistreat them.Nepali worker's statement
In December 2023, The Independent reported a Nepali migrant worker is suing British farm EU Plants in a landmark employment tribunal over claims of labour rights abuse, including wage theft, indirect discrimination, unreasonable working hours and a lack of leisure time, and occupational health and safety concerns. The worker came to the UK as part of the Seasonal Worker Scheme. She is the first on the visa to take legal action against a farm.
In a statement to The Independent, EU Plants said it “provides an inclusive and supportive working environment for workers, and its founder started his career as a seasonal worker.”
According to an article by TBIJ and Vice World released earlier in April 2023, the worker complained to her sponsor, AG Recruitment, and she was transferred to another farm. However, she was not compensated for the money owed. Ag Recruitment said to TBIJ that it would report issues to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse but would not say if a report was made on the Nepali worker’s case.
In May 2023, Bloomberg reported that the worker said in her witness statement that her hands bled because she was not given gloves, and that she was “forced to live in an unheated caravan in winter 2022 with five men”.