Post by Mitch on Nov 15, 2004 23:42:44 GMT
Julie: making Christmas crackers
Julie Davies worked for a cracker manufacturer in South Wales, and has made crackers for Tesco, Somerfield and Safeway among others. She worked a 48 hour week and earned around £55. Her fair estimate agreement stated that the work could be completed in 16 hours. Se did not receive holiday pay, and was told by her employer that she was self employed.
After complaining to the Compliance Unit (Inland Revenue) that she was unable to earn at least the level of the national minimum wage, she received some back pay but she did not receive any more work.
She subsequently made an application to employment tribunal for detriment suffered for asserting her right to be paid the national minimum wage, and holiday pay. She settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money.
Julie said, “we have to stand up to these employers who don’t pay us what we are entitled to. We have to stand up for our rights and better conditions. Employers have to pay us what’s rightfully ours. I know we are afraid to lose our wages and jobs, but if we were paid the minimum wage in the first place we may very well be entitled to other rights such as holiday pay and sick pay in the same way as other employees.”
Interviews with Julie Davies can be arranged on request.
Julie Davies worked for a cracker manufacturer in South Wales, and has made crackers for Tesco, Somerfield and Safeway among others. She worked a 48 hour week and earned around £55. Her fair estimate agreement stated that the work could be completed in 16 hours. Se did not receive holiday pay, and was told by her employer that she was self employed.
After complaining to the Compliance Unit (Inland Revenue) that she was unable to earn at least the level of the national minimum wage, she received some back pay but she did not receive any more work.
She subsequently made an application to employment tribunal for detriment suffered for asserting her right to be paid the national minimum wage, and holiday pay. She settled out of court for an undisclosed amount of money.
Julie said, “we have to stand up to these employers who don’t pay us what we are entitled to. We have to stand up for our rights and better conditions. Employers have to pay us what’s rightfully ours. I know we are afraid to lose our wages and jobs, but if we were paid the minimum wage in the first place we may very well be entitled to other rights such as holiday pay and sick pay in the same way as other employees.”
Interviews with Julie Davies can be arranged on request.
