Nearly 20 Filipino workers face forced return after dismissal in Newcastle

Nearly 20 Filipino workers in Newcastle are facing forced return in practice after being abruptly dismissed by Global Maritime Engineering Services (GME Services).

Recruited from the Philippines through Magsaysay Global Services, Inc., the workers were promised stable employment as skilled staff. Instead, they report discrepancies between contracts and payslips, unclear deductions, and sudden termination after being misled about a transfer abroad.

Workers have also raised concerns about a visa anomaly, having been recruited as skilled staff but later finding out they may have been issued dependant visas. This raises serious questions about deception in the recruitment and deployment process.

The company has instructed workers to return to the Philippines “with immediate effect”. While not a formal deportation, advocates warn this amounts to forced return, pressuring workers to leave before they can assert their rights.

Key concerns include:

• Possible wage discrepancies and underpayment.
• Deceptive recruitment and visa mismatch.
• Abrupt sacking of workers without fair process.
• Pressure to leave the UK immediately.

Advocates are calling for:

• A stop to any forced or premature return.
• Ensuring full payment of all wages owed.
• An investigation into GME Services and the labour supply chain.
• The clarification and securing of workers’ immigration status.

Advocates are calling for urgent action and solidarity. They’re warning that this case reflects a broader pattern of migrant worker exploitation in the UK and across Europe.

Featured image via the Canary