The Home Office has been accused by migrants living in an encampment of caravans raided and seized by immigration officers of targeting victims of labour exploitation, rather than the companies that profit from the hidden economic.
In August , The Observer revealed that around 30 Brazilian delivery drivers working for companies like Deliveroo or Uber Eats lived in dilapidated vans in Bristol’s centre. Many said they earned less than the minimum wage, and couldn’t afford to rent in Bristol.
It was revealed last week that their roadside camp was raided on 3 October by immigration enforcement agents. 17 people were arrested and 13 taken to detention centers in London. Some of the people could be removed from the UK, despite the fact that they have been living there for many years.
Celia Campos (45), who works both for Deliveroo as well as Uber Eats said that about 20 immigration officers and police officers stormed the encampment at night. She said that they arrived at 4am and knocked very loudly to open the caravan doors. Many of us were scared. “I am outraged… Fathers and mothers are being searched like animals. “We are workers, and not criminals.”
has pledged that the new government will expand detention capacity, and increase deportations. Those caught working illegally are “detained and quickly removed”.
The raid was supported by Angela Eagle the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, who stated: “We’re determined to crack down on both illegal work and the exploitation of illegal workers.”
Campos, a woman who says she is paid below minimum wage, claims that the raid did not help the workers in the camp. She said that the Home Office was going in the wrong direction. They should have been raiding companies. If the government cared about workers they would look for ways to regulate these companies.
Campos reiterated the call by Heather Mack, deputy leader of Bristol, to provide undocumented workers with a path to citizenship in order to protect them against exploitation. Mack asked: “Why don’t we create a legal way for immigrants to work in the United States?” They would help us, and we could gain more workers to grow the country.
In the UK, there are between 800,000. and 1.2 Million undocumented immigrants who lack valid visas and other immigration documents. There are more than half who have lived in the UK for at least 5 years. However, there are few ways to legalise immigration status.
Many of them end up in the gig-economy. Undocumented workers are able to rent legitimate accounts on delivery apps. They must pay a percentage of their earnings back to the account owner.
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain, which represents workers in the gig economy, has called on government to target companies that exploit migrant workers.
Alex Marshall, President of the IWGB, said: “Instead, of going after predatory employers, whose business model is built on exploiting desperate people, the government chooses to perform cruelties towards those who are just trying their best to survive.” “It is disgusting that government ministers cheer these Home Office attacks against unprotected employees.”
Deliveroo reported its first profit this past year. It reported net earnings of £1.3m for the first half 2024. Uber, a company that provides food and taxis, saw its UK profits rise from £5m to £32m by 2022. Some unions and politicians have criticised Deliveroo for its links with Labour. Deliveroo’s chief executive Will Shu , attended a drinks event hosted by Keir starmer in July. in its latest annual report shows that the company spent £5,000 at a business reception during last year’s Labour Conference.
Home Office spokesperson stated: “Deliveroo Uber Eats, and Just Eat are already introducing – or soon will introduce – right to work checks on substitutes. The account holder is responsible for registering substitutes, and their account could be at risk if they do not.
Deliveroo’s spokesperson stated that all of its riders must be legally entitled to work in the UK. We are the first major platform that has implemented direct right-to work checks, registration and identity verification technologies for all riders. We are committed in strengthening our controls against abuse.
Uber Eats’ spokesperson stated that all couriers in the UK must have a valid work permit: “Any courier who does not meet these criteria won’t be able use the Uber Eats App.” We work with the Home Office, the police and other government agencies to ensure that couriers who use the Uber Eats app are in compliance with UK law.
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