Porters and cleaners staged a noisy rally as some of Britain’s biggest-earning film stars and directors walked the red carpet at the BAFTAs.
Dozens of low-paid staff at the Royal Opera House voiced their demands for a London living wage of £9.15 an hour.
An onlooker said: “All the rich and famous people had to walk through them.
“They were shouting, blowing horns and waving banners with slogans such as ‘don’t treat us like dirt’.”
Some of the multi-millionaire stars were said to look embarrassed as they were chauffeured to Covent Garden and walked into the Royal Opera House.
One cleaner, who did not want to be named, said: “It is simple. We deserve fair pay for our work. We won’t be bullied into silence”
Renowned film-maker Ken Loach sent a message of support to organisers the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain.
He said: “I send you my very warmest good wishes in your struggle.
“Everyone has the right to be paid a fair wage so that they can live in security and with dignity.
“The Royal Opera House management cannot escape responsibility.”
The union said the cleaners have been engaged in disputes with their employer, subcontractors MITIE, for over a year
A spokeswoman said: "In response we'd just like to say that Mitie pays its cleaners at the Royal Opera House the London Living Wage.
"We’ve tried to meet with the IWGB, and have approached them to discuss the other matters in dispute - even through ACAS, but the IWGB refused to meet with us. We are committed to treating our employees fairly and will continue to do so."
