Oxfam's work on labour rights in the UK

Oxfam believes in a society where every job is decently-paid, safe, and offers good conditions - sick and holiday pay, for example. Workers are organised, know their rights, and are confident in demanding they are met.

UK Poverty resources

What we're doing

Empowered workers. Through events and workshops we provide information to migrant workers on their rights, and on the services available to them. Working with community leaders and through media training, we empower migrants to stand up for their rights and speak out.

We also support organisations working with homeworkers in the UK.

Responsible employers. We work with employers, training them to meet their legal responsibilities, deal with racism, and support their staff to learn English.

Campaigning for better employment rights. We support the campaign for asylum-seekers to have the right to work. And with a broad coalition of partners we have successfully campaigned for the rights of migrant domestic workers in the UK.

Enforcing existing rights: We are looking at the impact of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, which regulates agencies employing vulnerable workers in agriculture and food production. Oxfam's Turning the Tide report looks at the exploitation faced by migrant workers working for gangmasters in the UK, and calls for the strengthening of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

What we're calling for

• The Gangmasters Licensing Authority should be extended to the construction, hotel and catering sectors, and its resources increased.
• Free English (ESOL) classes should be available for all who need them.
• Government should run a major public awareness campaign on employment rights, especially for migrant and vulnerable workers.
• Homeworkers should be granted full employment rights, to prevent employers exploiting uncertainty over their employment status.
• Asylum seekers should have the right to work in the UK.