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19.05.2025 / News / Justice for Cleaners / LSE

“I don’t steal. I’m not a thief” – UVW to sue LSE over summary dismissal of 70-year-old migrant cleaner 

 “I’ve worked at LSE for 13 years without any problems. I just forgot about the bracelet. It was a mistake, and it is the first time something like this has happened to me. I have apologised so many times. At my age, you can forget like that.” – Janet Olufunke Damiro, LSE cleaner and UVW member 

United Voices of the World (UVW) will initiate legal proceedings against the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE) yet again, following the sudden and deeply unjust dismissal of Janet Olufunke Damiro, a 70-year-old cleaner and grandmother who had worked at the university since 2012.

Janet, who came to the UK in 1971 from Nigeria, was dismissed without notice or pay earlier this year after a misunderstanding involving a misplaced bracelet. In a disciplinary meeting, Janet explained that she had picked up the bracelet from the floor outside a meeting room and, intending to hand it in after completing her cleaning duties, set it aside. However, due to a moment of forgetfulness, she did not return it immediately. She handed it over as soon as she was asked and remembered the incident.

“I don’t steal. I’m not a thief. I’ve worked at LSE for over 10 years without any problems. I just forgot. At my age, you can forget like that,” Janet told us.

“They look at me like I’m a thief. It’s unfair. I’ve not been myself at all, I don’t sleep at night. I don’t have a job now, but I have to pay my rent and bills. Who’s going to employ me at this age?”

Janet’s daughter wrote to LSE to explain her mother’s side of the story, highlighting not only her age but also communication barriers that may have played a role, as English is not Janet’s first language.

Seventy-two of Janet’s colleagues, as well as three managers, have signed a petition calling for her reinstatement. They vouch for her character, her exceptional work ethic and her years of dedicated service. Their support reflects the deep respect Janet commands across the university.

UVW believes Janet’s summary dismissal is unreasonable, unjustified and unlawful. Her treatment is not only disproportionate and discriminatory, on the grounds of both age and race; Adding insult to injury, a public announcement about her departure was made before Janet had been given the chance to exercise her legal right to appeal. 

Janet’s case appears to be part of a broader, troubling pattern of mistreatment of cleaners at LSE.  

In 2023, UVW won an Employment Tribunal claim against LSE on behalf of another migrant cleaner who was dismissed after the university refused to implement medical adjustments recommended by doctors following a long-term health condition.

In 2017, UVW member cleaners forced LSE to end outsourcing through sustained and powerful strike action, bringing the workers back in-house and into parity with university staff.

Now, in 2025, UVW is once again standing with LSE cleaners to demand justice, dignity and fair treatment for all workers, starting with Janet’s immediate reinstatement.

Support Janet, write a letter to LSE bosses demanding her immediate reinstatement>> 

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