[IER] “Seismic shift” needed in migrant workers’ rights

Fri Dec 15 17:47:02 GMT 2023

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“Seismic shift” needed in migrant workers’ rights

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A seismic shift in the UK’s labour-migration system is needed to protect both migrant and local workers from super-exploitation and abuse, according to a new study by the Institute of Employment Rights (IER).

The model of visa-based temporary migration with employer-sponsorship serves neither migrant nor local workers, nor the economy itself, says the report, Migration and Work in Post-Brexit UK, published today.

University of Bristol law specialists Dr Manoj Dias-Abey and Dr Katie Bales pick apart the shortcomings of the current system of visas and sponsorship, which they say undermine, devalue and dehumanise those who have to navigate through it.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/press-releases/press-release-seismic-shift-needed-in-migrant-workers-rights/> More details 

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Migration and work in post-Brexit UK

Dr Manoj Dias-Abey and Dr Katie Bales make the case for a regulatory regime that respects the humanity and contribution of all workers.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/product/migration-and-work-in-post-brexit-uk/> Download here 

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Watch: the TUC special Congress recording

A Special Congress on Protecting the Right to Strike took place at Congress House on Saturday 9th December. If you missed it, you can watch it here.  

 <https://www.tuc.org.uk/watch-special-congress-recording> Watch the video here 

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TUC General Council statement – Special Congress 2023

The ongoing campaign against minimum service levels (MSLs) 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/general-council-statement-special-congress-2023/> Read here 

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The TUC's special congress declared war on anti-strike laws. Now battle must be joined

Last Saturday's TUC special congress made serious commitments which, if fulfilled, mean a step-change in co-ordinated resistance to anti-strike laws - Morning Star editorial 

 <https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/tucs-special-congress-declared-war-anti-strike-laws-now-battle-must-be-joined> More details 

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Strikes by Ambulance and Border Force Staff now ‘Effectively Banned’

When workers now vote to strike in key sectors, they could be forced to attend work by order of a ‘work notice’. By Josiah Mortimer, Byline Times. 

 <https://bylinetimes.com/2023/12/08/strikes-by-ambulance-and-border-force-staff-now-effectively-banned-after-minimum-service-levels-pass-by-ministerial-dictat/> More details 

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Mayors and council leaders vow to thwart anti-strikes laws

Mayors and council leaders have warned Tory anti-strike laws will lead to “longer and more frequent” walkouts. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/mayors-and-council-leaders-vow-to-thwart-anti-strikes-laws/> More details 

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Judicial Backpedalling on Trade Union Rights in the Gig Economy:

Deliveroo in the United Kingdom Supreme Court. Our President, Professor Keith Ewing writes for the IER on the latest developments in the Supreme Court.  

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/judicial-backpedalling-on-trade-union-rights-in-the-gig-economy/> Read here 

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Protecting free speech on Israel/Palestine

Over the last two months, a large number of workers have been dismissed from their workplace or threatened with disciplinary action for speaking out about the war in Gaza. David Renton and Franck Magennis of Garden Court Chambers look at the implications and the protections.  

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/protecting-free-speech-on-israel-palestine/> Read here 

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Curtail Zero Hour Contracts and give workers guaranteed work hours

An evidence review led by the University of Warwick has concluded that the increase of zero hours contracts over the last 20 years has created significant risk for workers.  

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/curtail-zero-hour-contracts-and-give-workers-guaranteed-work-hours-say-researchers-at-the-university-of-warwick/> More details 

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COP28: Progress for a just transition but big gaps remain – ITUC

ITUC welcomes the inclusion of references to labour rights and social protection in the Just Transition Work Programme

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/cop28-progress-for-a-just-transition-but-big-gaps-remain-ituc/> More details 

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Employment Law regulations in Parliament – update

An evidence review led by the University of Warwick has concluded that the increase of zero hours contracts over the last 20 years has created significant risk for workers. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/employment-law-regulations-in-parliament-update/> More details 

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