C4 Enforcement of fair and safe employment rights

Composite of motion 5 and amendments

Congress deplores the culture of law breaking by some employers in respect of the statutory rights of workers and their ability to flout the law with impunity.

Congress rejects the false rhetoric of the CBI, the Institute of Directors and other business lobby groups who seek to license discriminatory and unsafe working practices by employers on the grounds of the number of workers employed and in an attempt to lift the burdens on business. Fair and safe employment practice must be recognised as a basic duty of all employers, and that it makes good economic sense.

Congress asserts that all workers have a fundamental right to basic legal protections in every workplace, regardless of size.

Congress is deeply concerned that statutory enforcement agencies are woefully under-resourced and lack the capacity needed to tackle unacceptable employer practices.

Congress applauds the action taken by the Government to introduce legislation through the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill which will ensure compliance with the statutory and contractual terms and conditions of service of the school workforce.

Congress welcomes the Government’s commitment to introduce regulations outlawing blacklisting. However, Congress calls on the Government to ensure that the regulations cover issues wider than purely blacklisting due to activities associated with trade unions.

Congress welcomes the Government’s Unleashing Aspiration report that exposes the abuse of internships, in particular in the media industry, through the failure to pay the National Minimum Wage and to provide proper training. Congress instructs the General Council to campaign for early government action to tackle such abuses.

Congress also welcomes the aims of the Equality Bill, which seek to extend the range of legal protections from discrimination in the workplace. However, Congress believes that the Equality Bill must be accompanied by a coherent enforcement strategy to ensure that the objectives of the legislation are delivered fully.

Congress further believes the Equality Bill should be strengthened by the introduction of statutory equality representatives and the requirement for all employers to undertake mandatory comprehensive equal pay audits.

Congress reaffirms its belief that action to strengthen employment rights and statutory enforcement powers should be a major manifesto priority for the next Government.

Mover:  NASUWT
Seconder:  Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians

Supporters:  University and College Union, National Union of Journalists