New IER report reveals how the UK has fallen foul of international law
A new book catalogues the government's non-compliance with its legal obligations.
News brief - 09/04/20 View this email in your browser
New IER report reveals how the UK has fallen foul of international law
The Coronavirus crisis has, unfortunately, revealed the unpreparedness of UK labour law to react in times of emergency. Pandemics require a collective response, but the laws that govern the nation’s workplaces are deliberately set up to prevent such action. The increasing individualisation of employment law, including the degradation of trade union rights, has left workers and employers without the frameworks necessary to coordinate a fair and organised response to emergencies.
In a new report for the IER - Benchmarking freedom of association: the UK’s non-compliance with international standards - Dr Andrew Moretta of the University of Liverpool catalogues the extent to which successive post-1979 UK governments have attacked and undermined the fundamental human right of workers to bargain collectively and to take industrial action.
The report finds the UK to be in breach of many of the international labour standards that it has ratified, and concludes with a suggestion for a new Workers' Bill of Rights that rectifies this non-compliance and provides protection for workers.
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The latest from IER experts on the Coronavirus and work
Lord John Hendy QC briefs on the gaps in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
The IER has published a new briefing from Lord John Hendy QC, originally provided for former Shadow Secretary for Employment Rights, Rachel Maskell, which details the outstanding issues in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
He warns that government reassurance that agency workers and those on zero-hours contracts will be covered by the Scheme may be misguided, as there remains a financial incentive for employers to cut – rather than furlough – casualised labour.
Other vulnerable groups include those receiving Statutory Sick Pay under the new rules introduced to cope with the crisis. While those eligible for the benefit can normally claim it for six months, this has been significantly reduced to just seven days for those ill with Coronavirus and 14 days for their carers. Where low-paid workers are reliant on the benefit, this poses a risk that they will return to the workplace before they have fully recovered from the disease, potentially spreading it to others.
Read a summary of the briefing and download the full text
Furloughing and fundamental rights: The case of paid annual leave
Professors Alan Bogg and Michael Ford QC take a deep dive into a very timely question - can an employer force a furloughed worker to take annual leave?
Read the full report
Coronavirus has exposed the reality of precarious Britain
Adrian Weir argues that the coronavirus crisis has lifted the lid on Britain's economy and demonstrated the case for strong trade unions.
Read the full report
IER and Covid-19
Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease and the need to keep our staff, supporters and speakers safe, IER have decided to postpone all forthcoming IER events and meetings until further notice, including both Health and safety at work after Brexit conferences in Liverpool and London, the IER Executive Committee, IER AGM and our joint event with the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom on 6th June.
IER staff will continue to work, but remotely from home. We will answer emails, produce publications and circulate our weekly News Briefs and other on-line information. However, phone calls to the office or mail sent by post will not receive immediate attention.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish you all best wishes during this difficult time.
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