Central and Eastern Europeans - Employment

This page outlines entitlements and provides resources for homelessness organisations who are supporting Central and Eastern Europeans trying to access work or who are vulnerable to exploitation at work. It also gives details of organisations who can provide support.

Entitlements

A8 nationals: see our briefing note outlining eligibility for Job Centre Plus Services after 1st May 2011.

A2 nationals: visit the employment section of our Central and Eastern Europeans entitlements guide, developed by Homeless Link and the AIRE Centre, for information on:

  • A2 nationals seeking work
  • A2 nationals in work
  • Self employed A2 nationals.

You can also read:

best practice guides

Homeless Link has produced two short guides giving practical advice for homelessness organisations who are helping Central and Eastern Europeans to access work and avoid exploitation at work:

You can also see an example of software that has been developed to assist Central and Eastern European clients to search for employment.

General Guidance on working and living in England

A8 and A2 Nationals

Guidance on workers rights

A8 and A2 Nationals

useful Contacts

Ur4jobs at the Upper Room
Helping clients move swiftly into legitimate employment in the UK and offering a one-stop-shop for accurate information about living and working in contemporary Britain.  Polish and Russian speaking staff/volunteers. Information is available in English and Polish. Please call 020 8740 5688 / 07967 312 207 or email ur4jobs@yahoo.co.uk or infoupperroom@yahoo.co.uk

UR4Jobs and Primus Personnel and Media have launched a unique Polish language CSCS training package for individuals and organisations working with members of the Polish community in the UK. See the website for more details.

BERR Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS)
The BERR Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) is undertaking work to build their profile among agency workers. The Inspectorate’s role is to ensure that all employment agencies are complying with the law and treating workers fairly. It also runs a phone number that workers can use to complain about illegal employment agency practice.  They work across all sectors of employment, so have a wider remit than the Gangmaster’s Licensing Authority.

As part of their publicity drive they have produced two leaflets, which they are aiming to distribute through stakeholder networks to agency workers. The leaflets are available in hard copy, and BERR are happy to post boxes to you, or to other organisations that you think could usefully distribute them. If you would like to distribute copies of the leaflet, or have further questions about the leaflet, please contact Steven Healer at BERR.

Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA)
The GLA has produced information on workers rights in Polish, Slovakian, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Bulgarian and Romanian. Visit the GLA page for the leaflets.

EURES - The European team at Jobcentre Plus
The european team at Jobcentre Plus (Eures) has created a short information leaflet that includes links to useful websites to look for jobs, find cheap accommodation and to access education.

European Job Mobility Portal
This portal is an EU website that can be used to search for jobs, as well as learn about rights and entitlements for different nationalities.

The Vulnerable Workers’ Project
The Vulnerable Workers’ Project has produced an Employment Rights Information booklet that gives you information if you have a problem at work. The booklet, available in Polish, includes who you can contact to give you support in resolving issues in your employment and enforcing your employment rights.