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I’m Protected at Work

The broken and regressive model of top-up fees does not just leave students with mountains of debt upon graduation, it also forces thousands of students to work countless hours so they can both eat and study.  On average, full-time students work 14-hour weeks during term-time, but one in five also works for more than 20 hours a week [TUC/NUS: 2006].  The stark truth remains that students, desperate for cash, tend to work in some of the most exploitative of sectors. This year the Union of UEA Students, working with its trade union supporters, launches the “I’m Protected” campaign to ensure that student workers’ rights are not trampled upon. This minisite outlines your rights and guides you towards more information. Ultimately the system must change. Students will remain broke, as long as the system is broken. It will always be unjust to force countless students into poverty to fund their learning. I hope you will be able to join our campaign for a free, fair and truly state-funded Higher Education system in the coming year. That is, if you are not too busy at work.

David Sheppard, Academic Officer and “I’m Protected” convenor 2008-9

Academic Officer: su.academic@uea.ac.uk

Welfare Officer: su.welfare@uea.ac.uk

Union Advice Centre: Advicecentre@uea.ac.uk

Department for Work and Pensions:       www.dwp.gov.uk

HM Revenue and Customs:                      www.hmrc.gov.uk/students

UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA):    www.ukcisa.org.uk

ACAS:         www.acas.co.uk

Helpline:     08457 474747

Advice Guide  www.citizensadvice.org.uk