The UK Government is determined to ensure that the law governing employment rights of foreign workers in the UK is respected. Raising awareness among workers of their rights is key to helping prevent mistreatment. To this end, the UK and Portugal have held bilateral discussions, at both ministerial and official level, focused on improving information available to Portuguese workers in the UK. As a result of these exchanges, the British Embassy in Lisbon and the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly collaborated on production of this information leaflet, which focuses on the rights of Portuguese temporary workers in the UK and the sources of help and advice available to them.

The leaflet "Working in the UK" was launched on 07 November 2003 by the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, Dr. José Cesário and HM Ambassador in Portugal, Dame Glynne Evans.

The leaflet is being distributed widely in Portugal and in the UK via local authorities, jobcentres, social security offices, community associations, church networks and non-governmental organisations.