Union leaders have called on Domino’s Pizza boss Stephen Hemsley to intervene over the sacking of 12 Hungarian workers at its Derby branch.

The T&G section of Unite has accused a Domino’s franchisee in Derby of exploiting the foreign workers and leaving them in poverty following suspect deductions from their wages.

The Union said once the workers challenged their employer as to their treatment compared with other UK staff they were sacked, leaving them penniless and potentially homeless.

Jack Dromey, T&G section of Unite deputy general secretary, said: “These very young, very vulnerable workers have been working tirelessly on Domino’s behalf while they have been in this country. But their treatment has been appalling.”

The Union, which has a solicitor looking into the case, has claimed each worker was charged £50 per week in rent for a room in sub-standard accommodation, paid high and vastly varying amounts towards tax and national insurance and even had to pay for delivery vehicle insurance out of their pay.

Dromey wants Hemsley to reassure them their tied-accommodation is secure for now and aid them in finding alternative employment.

In a statement Domino’s told BBC News that its own investigation into the circumstances of the row had found evidence to support the franchisee’s assertion that the union’s claims were false.

It added that eight employees of the franchise had been dismissed for refusing to comply with the requirement to register on the UK government scheme set up in 2004 for workers from European Union member states.

On Monday (23 July) Domino’s revealed an excellent start to the year with like-for-like sales up 14.9% compared with a year ago.

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By Chris Druce

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