Fair Work, Fair Futures: Supporting Migrant Worker

Aim

Help migrant workers understand their rights, challenge exploitation, and build better futures.

For many East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) migrants in the UK, work is more than just earning a living. It is a pathway to stability, independence, and building a future. 

Yet too many people in our communities continue to face workplace abuse and exploitation. Others struggle to find decent work. From unpaid wages and insecure contracts to discrimination, exploitation, and uncertainty about their rights, many workers struggle to access the support they need. 

The new UK Employment Rights Act 2025 brings important protections for workers 

But rights alone are not enough.

People need trusted, accessible support to understand those rights, navigate complex workplace situations, and feel confident enough to speak up. 

Why We Need Your Help

Demand for our services continues to grow. 

As living costs rise and employment laws change, more community members are seeking support to understand their rights, challenge unfair treatment, and navigate an increasingly complex labour market. 

The Difference Your Support Makes

Over the past year, SEEAC has: 

📈 Supported hundreds of ESEA migrants through advice, advocacy, workshops, and community programmes 

🤝 Delivered employment rights workshops and employability sessions covering CV writing, interviews, career development, and workplace rights 

💼 Provided one-to-one employment advice, advocacy, and referrals to workers experiencing workplace concerns.  We supported 155 active and completed cases involving migrant workers facing workplace exploitation, unfair treatment, unpaid wages, discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and immigration-related employment issues. 

• 85% of those supported were from the Filipino community (132 individuals), alongside people from Chinese, Hong Kong, British, and other Asian backgrounds. 
• We supported workers on Skilled Worker and Overseas Domestic Worker visas, many of whom faced heightened vulnerability due to their immigration status. 
• 22 cases involved both employment and immigration issues, where workers needed support to protect both their jobs and their right to remain in the UK. 
• 5 cases involved serious mental health impacts, including anxiety, trauma, and workplace-related psychological distress. 
• 6 cases involved modern slavery, trafficking, or domestic abuse, requiring specialist advocacy and safeguarding support.  
• We also supported workers facing redundancy, unpaid wages, unlawful deductions from pay, unsafe workplaces, and employer retaliation. 

As one participant shared: 

 "Before attending SEEAC's workshop, I didn't know my rights at work or where to go for help. The session gave me confidence to ask questions and understand my employment contract." 

 Another community member told us: 

 "SEEAC made me feel supported and less alone. They explained things clearly and helped me understand the options available to me." 

For many people, a conversation, workshop, or advice session can be the difference between remaining vulnerable and feeling empowered. 

Supporting ESEA Communities to Thrive

SEEAC (Southeast and East Asian Centre) provides culturally informed advice, advocacy, and community support for East and Southeast Asian migrants across the UK. 

Every year, we hear from workers who: 

• Are unsure whether they are being paid correctly 
• Have experienced discrimination or unfair treatment at work 
• Need help understanding employment contracts 
• Feel isolated and unsure where to turn for support 
• Want to improve their employment prospects but lack confidence or guidance  

 Our expert employment advice and employability programmes help community members understand their rights, build confidence, and access opportunities. 

What Your Donation Could Do 

💛 £10 could help produce employment rights resources for community members. 

💛 £25 could help us organise a workshop and so our community gains practical knowledge about workplace rights. 

💛 £50 could contribute towards an employment advice session for someone facing difficulties at work. 

💛 £100 could help provide advocacy support for a worker experiencing exploitation or discrimination. 

💛 £500 could support a community employment rights workshop reaching dozens of migrant workers. 

A Future Where Everyone Can Thrive

At SEEAC, we believe everyone deserves dignity, safety, and fair treatment at work, regardless of where they come from. 

By donating today, you are helping ESEA migrant workers access the knowledge, support, and opportunities they need to build secure futures for themselves and their families. 

Together, we can ensure that stronger employment rights translate into real change for the communities that need them most. 

 Donate today and help build fair work, fair futures, and stronger communities.  

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 6th August 2026 at 8:22pm