About us

Our vision is to see an end to the abuse and exploitation of temporary migrant workers and that temporary migrant workers are treated with dignity and respect.

The Worker Support Centre reaches and supports temporary migrant workers in high-risk labour sectors and works to ensure workers’ lived experiences inform policy change. We work with and for people who face intersecting inequalities, building leadership and solidarity to increase individual and collective power. We seek to prevent and tackle abuse and exploitation, offering direct support and building knowledge and awareness of the experiences of workers in high-risk labour sectors.

The Worker Support Centre draws on best practice examples from around the world to deliver a unique model of worker-driven support and representation. We work with individuals based on their needs, at work and in their communities. Our work is led by Outreach Caseworkers who speak the languages of those with whom we work and have lived experience of the issues they face. We offer a range of ways that temporary workers can get in touch: phone, email, social media or at one of our cultural events.

Our staff

Caroline Robinson

Executive Director

Caroline has extensive experience working on human trafficking globally. In 2022, she established the Worker Support Centre and now serves as its Executive Director. From 2012-19, Caroline founded and directed the charity Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX), which successfully re-framed the UK approach to labour exploitation. From 2008-11 she led global policy for the Global Alliance against Traffic in Women, including work on national anti-trafficking responses in Malaysia, India, Nepal, Brazil and the UAE. She helped establish the global Anti-Trafficking Review Journal in 2011, and sits on its Editorial Board. She has worked as a Senior Advisor in the UK Parliament and for the United Nations in the Afghan Parliament. She holds a MA in Development Studies with distinction from IDS.

Valeria Ragni

Centre Manager

Valeria has over ten years’ experience in establishing, developing and delivering programmes on local, national and international scales. This work has been focused in the UK and international refugee, migration, trafficking and violence against women sectors. She has fulfilled front-line and managerial roles in major third-sector organisations. Valeria speaks Italian and Russian, lives in Glasgow and is a trustee for a small community-led organisation based in the Southside. She loves spending time with her family, cycling and reading.

Iryna Pakhil

Outreach Caseworker

Iryna provides support and advice to seasonal workers in agriculture. She has previously worked on English and Scottish farms picking soft fruits and at a packhouse under Seasonal Worker visa scheme. She has a Master’s in TEFL and over 10 years’ experience in teaching at agricultural college and working as interpreter and translator for businesses and individuals. She speaks Ukrainian, Russian and Hungarian.

Margarita Permonaite

Outreach Caseworker

Margarita is an outreach caseworker. She has over 3 years’ experience in supporting farm workers in Scotland. Her interest in workers’ rights comes from her personal experience as an agricultural worker back in 2004. She has since joined the University of Dundee where she earned three degrees, MA European Studies and International Politics, MLitt International Security and Politics and MSc Social Research Methods, and progressed her knowledge in migration and refugee studies, human rights, social equality and inclusion. She has worked in various projects that promote human rights in Scotland. She speaks Lithuanian, Russian and Kurdish Kirmanji. 

Lynda Bridger

Finance Officer

Lynda provides financial support to the Worker Support Centre as an independent consultant.  She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and trained with BDO.  After leaving BDO in 2004, Lynda has worked in the not for profit sector initially as a Finance Manager for a Fairtrade charity, Twin and since 2011 as an independent consultant to a number of charities. Lynda has a wealth of experience in preparing SORP accounts and project reporting for major donors (EU, Comic Relief, DFID).  Lynda has acted as a project consultant to the International Division of the British Red Cross and currently works with a portfolio of smaller charities.

Our trustees

Claire Smith

Trustee

Claire has worked in nature conservation since 2004, mostly in the charitable sector. She has experience of project management, managing teams and budgets and on working with government and statutory bodies to improve environmental policy. Claire believes that upholding and raising awareness of workers’ rights is key to having a healthy and functional food system, delivering for people, nature and climate.

Nicky Bolland

Trustee

Nicky is a visual and community artist based in Perthshire with over 15 years’ experience working with communities in Scotland and overseas, including migrants rights organising, advice/advocacy work and project delivery.  Nicky was keen to join the board of the Workers Support Centre because she is passionate about ensuring people are able to have their voices heard and can access their rights: she wants to be part of efforts to ensure that migrants coming to Scotland experience inclusion, fair opportunities and a warm welcome.  

Maria Navarro Pimentel

Trustee

Maria is a trained Environmental Engineer with a background in Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) advisory roles and data analysis in the waste management sector. She has experience working with diverse clients in Mexico and as a data analyst in the Waste Management Sector in Scotland. Maria is inspired by the WSC’s model of worker-driven support and representation and she is eager to contribute to its mission, to ensure every worker is treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

Fair Work First Statement

The Worker Support Centre (SWC) is committed to advancing the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First policy. Jointly agreed with the WSC staff, this statement confirms the WSC’s commitment to ensuring there are fair working practices in place by confirmation of the following:

Payment of at least the real Living Wage 

The Worker Support Centre is a Living Wage employer.

Appropriate channels for effective voice, such as trade union recognition

We provide an environment where staff feel safe to voice their opinions, their views are sought out, listened to and decisions are made only after effective consultation with all staff. We promote unionisation and recognise trade unions. 

Investment in workforce development

We support learning and development across the organisation at individual and organisational level using a range of learning opportunities and encourage all staff to proactively engage in skills development. We are committed to ensuring that regular mandatory training updates are undertaken.

No inappropriate use of zero hours contracts 

The Worker Support Centre does not use zero hours contracts. 

 

Action to tackle the gender pay gap and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace 

The Worker Support Centre is fully committed to ensuring an inclusive culture. We recognise the need for a diverse workforce to work in the organisation and meet the needs of temporary migrant workers we exist to support. We are committed to equitable pay, support and progression for staff across our workforce. We are an Equal Opportunities employer.

 

Offer flexible and family friendly working practices for all workers from day one of employment

The Worker Support Centre supports its staff to work flexibly at the time and in the location that best meets the needs of the organisation, the role and the employee. Most of our staff work remotely but we offer regular and flexible access to office spaces. We embrace flexibility with remote working, hybrid working and continually review working patterns for new and existing staff. We are in the process of reviewing our policies and contractual arrangements to establish a more progressive suite of family-friendly policies. 

 

We oppose the use of fire and rehire practice.

Get in touch

Helpline: 0800 058 1633 

Monday-Tuesday    4pm-8pm

Thursday-Friday     1pm-8pm 

Saturday                  9am-3pm

At all other times there is an answer phone facility; please leave a message and we will respond as soon as a staff member is next available.

Email: support@workersupportcentre.org.uk

Email: support@workersupportcentre.org.uk

Call Us: 0800 058 1633