Migrant farmworkers to protest outside Home Office
© Tim Scrivener Migrant farmworkers from the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) will protest outside the Home Office in London on Friday 24 January, to demand an end to exploitation in UK agriculture.
The protest, scheduled for noon outside 2 Marsham Street, marks the first time migrant farmworkers have organised a demonstration in central London.
They are calling for justice after facing harsh working conditions, exploitation, and unfair treatment within the SWS.
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The scheme, launched in 2019, allows UK farmers to hire overseas workers for up to six months to address post-Brexit labour shortages in the horticulture and poultry sectors.
However, workers have reported issues with forced labour, exploitation, illegal deductions, and debt.
This is based on testimonies and several reports including a 2023 joint report from the Landworkers’ Alliance, Focus on Labour Exploitation, and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.
The report highlighted that many workers were burdened with debts from visa fees, accommodation, travel, and broker fees.
In addition, there have been multiple allegations of wage theft and health and safety violations, including a strike by 88 workers at berry-growing Redbank Farm in Herefordshire over such concerns.
Worker ‘exploited’
Among the protesters will be 23-year-old Julia Quecaño Casimiro from Bolivia, who spoke at the Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) earlier this month about the poor conditions, intimidation and unfair dismissal she faced.
“I took part in the ‘Frontline Voices’ panel at ORFC to give voice to victims of labour exploitation,” she said, inviting others to join the demonstration.
“Justice is not seasonal!”
The protest will be followed by a seminar from 3-5 pm at The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London, SE11 5RR, where workers will share their experiences, and legal experts will discuss public policy and human rights in the sector.
The seminar is organised by the Landworkers’ Alliance, Libera Foundation, and United Voices of the World.