A MIGRANT cleaner is taking a London council to court for alleged bullying, harassment, discrimination and a breach of contract.

Maryori Pacheco Masias, a member of the United Voices of the World (UVW) union originally from Colombia, has worked for Hackney Council since April 2019.

The union said her hours were cut without consultation, resulting in a loss of pay.

She voiced a grievance about menopause-related health and that the new hours with a 5am start were not feasible due to her well-being concerns.

Ms Pacheco Masias alleges that the council repeatedly failed to address her concerns or implement reasonable adjustments.

As a result of the reduction of hours, she was pushed into financial hardship.

Repeated attempts by the UVW to engage the council have gone unanswered, according to the union.

Ms Pacheco Masias said: “As an immigrant woman in Hackney, I ask for greater appreciation and respect from employers.

“In my experience, workers like me are too often made to feel undervalued and pushed around.

“I have felt bullied despite giving 100 per cent of myself at work.

“It is not fair that at the slightest issue, workers can be made to feel belittled and pushed out as though they are worth nothing.”

UVW general secretary Petros Elia said that while Hackney Council has made strong public commitments to supporting migrant workers, “Maryori’s experience tells a very different story.”

He said: “Ignoring her health, cutting her pay, and failing to follow basic procedures is unacceptable and is the kind of behaviour we expect from exploitative private contractors — not a public authority.

“We are concerned this may not be an isolated case, but part of a wider pattern where there is no respect at all, affecting cleaners and other low-paid staff.”

Hackney Council was approached for comment.