Rada's story

Back in her hometown in Slovakia Rada had heard a lot of talk about her country joining the European Union. Everyone said that there would be great opportunities for people who were willing to work hard. So Rada sorted out a place to stay temporarily through a friend of a friend, and made the move to London.

On her first morning in a new city she was apprehensive, but determined to get a job. She thought that with the money she earned she could save a little, send some money home, and at the same time sample life in a different country. 'I was unemployed back home and didn't have much work experience, so I decided to try and get a job as a waitress,' Rada says, 'I went around all the local restaurants asking if they had any vacancies'. Eventually one of the restaurants Rada tried offered to take her on. 'I couldn't believe my luck!' Rada tells us, 'My first day in London and already I had a job.'

But Rada wasn't as lucky as she first thought. Her employer made her work ten hour shifts, seven days a week and only paid her £2 per hour. 'It was exhausting work. If I tried to ask for time off, my boss made it clear that there were plenty of other people who would be glad to take my place. All my pay went on rent and food, and the only thing I got to see was the inside of that restaurant.'

On the next page, find out what Rada should have known about living in the UK.

July 2009