Workers' rights still at risk even with Brexit deal

Workers’ rights in the UK are still at risk even if a Brexit deal is reached, according to a new study from a major think tank.

Protection for workers ‘not strong enough’

The Institute for Public Policy Research warns that the provisions in place for a no-deal Brexit are not strong enough to protect working rights, including pay and conditions, breaks and holiday leave, and discrimination and equality policies.

The UK and the European Union are expected to agree to common minimum standards to stay in place when Britain leaves the EU. The effectiveness of these ‘non-regression’ policies is now being called into doubt.

The IPPR has called for the creation of a ‘common rulebook’ to ensure that workers’ rights in the UK do not fall below those of workers in EU nations.

With Brexit under five months away, legislation protecting UK workers is at risk of being lost during the complicated exit proceedings. This includes new EU directives on zero-hours contracts, as well as proposed changes to ‘carer’s leave’.

The IPPR wants to establish a ‘supranational court’ to enforce parity between the rights of UK workers and those in the EU. They warn that UK workers could become victims of multinational corporations taking advantage of Brexit confusion.

Lloyd Donnelly – Employment Law Experts

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