[IER] Leak reveals plans to abolish Working Time Directive

Fri Jan 15 18:27:23 GMT 2021

News brief - 15/01/21                                                                              <https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=39728467c3> View this email in your browser 

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Leak reveals plans to abolish Working Time Directive 

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It is understood that the government plans to allow employers to force workers to take on more hours, lose their rest breaks, and lose holiday pay.

Sources "close to the matter" told the Financial Times that a plan approved by Downing Street was being formulated within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to remove the rights UK workers have previously been afforded by the EU's Working Time Directive.

Although the Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng today said, vaguely, that workers' rights would not be reduced, he did not specifically respond to say whether or not the leaked proposals were in fact on the table.

Last week, in a rushed Lords' debate on the Brexit deal - officially known as the The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), Lord John Hendy QC - Chair of the IER - warned of such trouble ahead.

"The Trade and Cooperation Agreement insists on the UK’s ‘right to determine the labour and social levels of protection it deems appropriate and to adopt or modify its laws and policies’. It permits the weakening of levels of protection below existing EU standards,” Lord Hendy explained.

“The EU didn’t seek a tilted playing field of this kind,” he reminded the Lords. “It was the British government which insisted on power to degrade the rights of British workers. The intent is clear: the government intends to degrade the rights of British workers. We are warned.”

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/leak-reveals-plans-to-abolish-working-time-directive/> Read full report 

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COMMENT: Palestinian workers strike against dangerous factory conditions

Jessie Fenn reports on a strike among Paletsinian chemical factory workers who are demanding equal workers' rights to Israelis.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/palestinian-workers-strike-against-dangerous-factory-conditions/> Read full report 

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Unions urge for crackdown on employers that refuse to allow staff to work from home during pandemic

The Business Secretary says he is concerned, but no new enforcement measures announced.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/unions-urge-for-crackdown-on-employers-that-refuse-to-allow-staff-to-work-from-home-during-pandemic/> Read full report 

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Govt to consult on better rights for workers experiencing domestic abuse

A new report has identified an unmet need for flexible working.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/govt-to-consult-on-better-rights-for-workers-experiencing-domestic-abuse/> Read full report 

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Leak reveals plans to abolish Working Time Directive

It is understood that the government plans to allow employers to force workers to take on more hours, lose their rest breaks, and lose holiday pay.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/leak-reveals-plans-to-abolish-working-time-directive/> Read 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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