Defend the rights of low paid migrant workers in the British cleaning industry by supporting Norbey!

I worked as a cleaner for a large cleaning company at their Kings Bench Walk site. Despite working there for years I had lots of problems such as with pay, an abusive manager, and arbitrary management decisions, all of which made working there untenable and as such I was constructively dismissed in April, 2015.

What happened to me

I worked at Kings Bench for around 10 years and I worked happily for many years until my employer won the building’s cleaning contract. My employer brought uncertainty and mistrust because of its management of employment matters against the cleaners’ interests.

When I refused the role of supervisor I was threatened with a reduction of my work by two hours daily. My employer threatened to call the police when we argued for our rights. The pay date was changed and the company told us they would keep some days’ wages.

All of this led me to feel my contract was not being respected. As such I had no choice but to resign. That was on the 27th of April this year.

I was advised that I had a claim in employment law against my former employer for constructive dismissal, based on the terrible way I had been treated in breach of employment rights. On 14 August, 2015, I submitted a claim to the Central London Employment Tribunal.

My legal case

Things that happened to me, and/or others, included non-payment of overtime, cover and sickness absence, arbitrary measures such as reducing working hours and threatening cleaners under any pretext, not paying me a week’s sickness pay with the excuse that they did not receive the sickness certificate, obliging workers to cover colleagues’ holidays and then not paying them, giving excuses and in some cases paying many months later.

My hearing will take place before the Tribunal on 5-6 January.

What my representatives say

Solicitor work is being undertaken by my trade union, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB). Jason Moyer-Lee, President of the trade union says:

The employment rights of low paid migrant workers in London’s cleaning sector are drastically under-enforced. Helping to finance Norbey's case will send a message to cleaning companies across London that low paid migrant workers are now finding the means to obtain justice, and as such will create an incentive for cleaning companies to adhere to the law.

Human rights and employment rights

I came to the UK from Colombia with my family in 1999 believing I could make a better life for us here. I respected the UK as a country that held human rights dear and in a strange way I feel let down.

How much am I raising and what is it for?

I am raising £2,400 in total. This includes £250 for the fee to submit the claim, £360 for the hearing fee, and some legal costs. I hope to raise at least £500 by crowdfunding but it would be enormously helpful to raise the full £2,400 online. Please help me achieve representation and justice in this case!

About the claimant

My name is Norbey Urreste. I am a citizen of Colombia and I arrived in the UK on 9 November 1999 with my family: my wife and two children. I live in London where my children study, and my wife and I work.

Fast facts

## What’s at stake The employment rights of cleaners who are unfairly dismissed at the whim of the companies. ## What’s the next step We have a hearing at the London Central Employment Tribunal on 5 and 6 January 2016. ## Our legal team Solicitor work is being done by my trade union, the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB). My barrister is from Cloisters Chambers.