Community is calling for justice and recompense for former employees of social enterprise Clarity.
The firm’s former director stood trial at Westminster Magistrates Court on fraud charges today. Members and Representatives from Community were present at court.
Clarity, an employer of blind and disabled people which was recognised as the world’s first social enterprise in 1911, manufactured soaps and beauty products at its factory in Highams Park, East London from the 1850s until 2022.
The company ran into difficulties and went into administration during the Covid-19 lockdown, with its assets purchased by businessman Nicholas Marks.
At this time, Community was forced to step in to support its members on site with multiple successful employment tribunal claims for unpaid wages.
On top of these claims, which accounted for hundreds of thousands of pounds, complaints were made to the Pensions Regulator that pension contributions had not been paid to the employees’ pension schemes. These complaints led to an investigation and the eventual prosecution of Mr Marks.
Community General Secretary Roy Rickhuss said:
“As an employer of repute for well over a century, Clarity provided dignity and security to thousands of blind and disabled people who were so often denied the opportunities at work they deserved. Its products were highly-valued – with its customers including generations of Royals – and it became a symbol of possibility for disabled people in and around London, and far beyond.
“Even after the closure of Clarity, we remain proud to represent that loyal, dedicated workforce, and it is absolutely scandalous that they were treated so poorly in the company’s final years. After the intervention of our union, members have been paid back some of what they are owed by the Redundancy Payments Service but still remain considerably out of pocket.
“Our members from Clarity will of course be following events this week closely, but ultimately this isn’t just about one court case, one company or one individual – it’s about how we as a country are prepared to accept workers being treated, especially vulnerable members of the workforce who have had to fight harder than most to be treated with dignity and respect. Community believe that our members deserve to receive every penny that they were owed by Clarity, as confirmed by the Employment Tribunal, and we will continue to support them every step of the way in their fight to get their money.”
As this is an active case Community will not be making any comments on the criminal proceedings.
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