In June 2023, The Young Foundation published Rights and risks: migrant labour exploitation in London, based on original research exploring the experiences of migrant Londoners as they work and access advice in the city. The underlying data was gathered and analysed by peer researchers, who were trained and supervised by The Young Foundation and Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX). This methodology has produced a deep well of insight and recommendations relevant to the advice sector.

Some findings should not surprise us. We know well that migrants in the UK experience issues in work along the full continuum from employment rights violations to labour exploitation and slavery. The most common issue raised was pay – being delayed, underpaid or without proper payslips and deductions. Migrant Londoners also experienced contract substitution or were never given a contract. In cleaning and construction in particular, people reported unsafe work. Across all sectors, people reported intimidation, abuse and discrimination, including employers holding documents hostage as well as verbal and physical abuse.

A core finding is that many migrant Londoners are not fully aware of their employment rights. More generally, the research found that even when employment rights are understood in theory, in practice the power imbalance implicit in the employment relationship and their immigration status undermines their capacity to challenge their employer.

Other findings might surprise and trouble the advice sector. Migrant Londoners face a wide range of barriers to accessing advice. There are complex practical obstacles, personal and cultural variables, and fears of consequences such as removal or losing income. While trying to overcome these barriers and get help, migrant Londoners report being signposted over and over again, having to repeat their story to every organisation and at multiple stages of casework, and needing to engage in bureaucratic and delayed processes. Understandably, many give up on their search for advice.

Why is this happening? There is simply not enough capacity in the advice sector at every level. For the most complex cases – including where immigration and employment law intersect – this capacity deficit is acute. The advice sector has been chronically underfunded. Most employment rights cases are out of scope for legal aid. In this context, mainstream and community organisations alike have struggled to maintain or train staff to do this work.

Migrant Londoners also tell us what works and voice their aspirations for the advice sector in this research. They value and trust services that:

Respondents wanted a more navigable advice sector and different ways to access services.

As a sector, we can hear this and improve access, capacity and expertise by:

We should continue to share our expertise and push for better funding, more comprehensive legal aid provision, and improved policy and law in this area.

This article only scratches the surface of the research. The report shares very powerful personal experiences and reflections of migrant Londoners, which are worth reading and sharing.