MIGRANT night cleaners at Harrods department store are voting to strike over a new holiday policy that restricts their ability to take time off to visit their families abroad. 

The luxury store has introduced a draconian policy that limits holidays to two weeks for all facilities workers, their union United Voices of the World (UVW) says.

This affects the diverse workforce, who often save for years to travel long distances to visit their families. 

UVW said Harrods ignored the workers’ concerns, with directors and HR personnel effectively stating “we have to take care of our business, we don’t care.”  

The cleaners instructed UVW to send a notice of intention to ballot.

Agnelo Fernandes, who has worked at Harrods for 10 years, said: “My wife is worried about the money we will lose if they decline our holidays for this year.

“If I have to change my tickets and purchase new tickets, I will lose £2,500. 

“We work so hard, if we lose this money, which is two months’ salary, it will be difficult to pay the bills.”

A spokesperson for Harrods said: “There has been no introduction of a new policy in relation to holidays at Harrods. Harrods clarified existing company policy, which limits holiday length during peak periods, as defined by the specific divisional needs of the business.”

UVW Union general secretary Petros Elia said: “The story of these cleaners highlights a broader issue of how a multimillion-pound company for the rich is undermining the welfare of its migrant workforce, an all-too-common occurrence. 

“They are ready to fight and UVW will support them like we have done, again and again.”