CLEANERS stole the limelight from millionaire movie stars last night as they picketed the lavish Bafta awards bash in protest over poverty pay.

Striking staff stunned Benedict Cumberbatch among other British actors who arrived at the Royal Opera House (ROH) to find red flags flying over the red carpet.

Celebrities were confronted by around 20 ROH cleaners, who took action after bosses reneged on a pledge to pay the living wage for their backbreaking work.

Porter Fernando Herrera told the Star that facilities staff contractor Mitie does not even arrange cover when someone falls ill.

“The sad thing about the Royal Opera House is how they treat the people, they don’t respect us,” he said.

“I am a porter but I am not a donkey.”

He explained that he is forced to carry over 1,100 10-kilogram boxes on his own in shifts stretching from 2pm to 10pm.

Many of the pampered film stars strolled past the exploited workers without blinking an eyelid as they basked in adulation from screaming fans at the London event.

But the cleaners received a boost when socialist director Ken Loach shunned the showbiz status quo by gave them a message of support.

“I send you my very warmest good wishes in your struggle,” wrote the Jimmy’s Hall director.

“Everyone has the right to be paid a fair wage so that they can live in security and with dignity.

“The Royal Opera House management cannot escape responsibility.”

This is not the first dispute between Mitie and ROH workers.

Last November employers were forced into raising the cleaners’ and porters’ salaries up to the London living wage of £9.15 an hour.

But workers argue they have not yet seen the rise take effect and many have had their pay withheld for over a year. Once-common tea breaks have also reportedly been taken away.

A ROH cleaner who gave the name Rosa said: “We deserve fair pay for our work. We won’t be bullied into silence.”

Last year a ROH spokesman shrugged off all obligations, saying that the cleaners’ and porters’ dispute was a matter to be dealt with by Mitie.

“In the event of there being any threat to the regular programme of maintenance and cleaning at the ROH we’ll put in place the necessary back-up arrangements to ensure that the same high standards are maintained at all times,” he added.

ROH contacted conciliation service Acas this year in an attempt to stop any disruptions of the awards ceremony.

However, demands for colleagues’ disciplinary charges to be dropped were not met and the protests went ahead.

joanaramiro@peoples-press.com