Joven Flores … well known for baking cakes for the residents’ birthdays Illustration: Paul Ryding/The Guardian
Joven Flores … well known for baking cakes for the residents’ birthdays Illustration: Paul Ryding/The Guardian
He came to the UK from the Philippines to create a good life for his family, but his job was demanding and relentless. Should he and other migrant workers have been better protected?
Tue 20 Apr 2021 01.00 EDT
For most of his life, all Joven Flores did was work. Back-to-back shifts as a chef, working weekends, overtime. Uncomplainingly, Joven tossed, marinated, sliced, kneaded, ordered produce, wiped down worktops and stacked plastic food boxes. On his occasional days off, Joven would prepare meals so that his family wouldn’t have to cook during the week. Then he’d collapse on the sofa. Then TV, sleep, an early morning drive through deserted streets and more work.