UK falls down global rankings on workers’ rights because of attacks on the right to strike
- NEW ITUC annual Global Rights Index report sees UK slip down the rankings for the first time in ten years
- The UK government has been accused of a “systematic violation of rights”
- Leading employment rights lawyer warns UK’s global standing as a country that respects fundamental rights is at “real risk”
The UK has fallen down the global rankings on workers’ rights because of the Conservatives’ attacks on the right to strike, according to a new report published today (Friday).
The ITUC’s global rights index rates countries based on their record on labour rights and human rights.
For the first time in the index’s ten-year history, the UK has slipped down the rankings and is now accused of a “systematic violation of rights” because of the introduction of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill.
This means the UK now sits alongside countries renowned for rights abuses such as Qatar, Vietnam and Hungary.
The TUC says this is yet further proof the UK will become “an international outlier” if the Strikes Bill is passed.
Leading employment rights lawyer Tonia Nowitz of Bristol University says the UK’s global standing as a country that respects fundamental rights and freedoms is at “real risk”.
The UK’s actions have already come under scrutiny from international organisations. The UN workers’ rights watchdog, the ILO, recently slapped down the UK government over its anti-union agenda and demanded it respect international law.
Strikes Bill
The Strikes Bill is currently making its way through parliament – and is due back in the House of Lords at the start of July. The government has suffered repeated defeats on the Strikes Bill in the House of Lords.
The Bill would mean that when workers lawfully vote to strike in health, education, fire, transport, border security and nuclear decommissioning, they could be forced to attend work – and sacked if they don’t comply.
The legislation has faced a barrage of criticism from employers, civil liberties organisations, the joint committee on human rights, House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, race and gender equalities groups, employment rights lawyers, politicians around the world – as well as a whole host of other organisations.
Last summer, ministers changed the law to allow agencies to supply employers with workers to fill in for those on strike and break strikes. Unions are currently challenging the change in courts – with a judgment expected soon.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), which represents suppliers of agency workers, described the proposals as “unworkable”.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:
“The right to strike is a fundamental freedom – but the Conservative government seems hellbent on undermining it.
“The UK already has some of the most restrictive trade union laws in Europe. This draconian anti-strike Bill will drag us further away from mainstream norms and make the UK an international outlier.
“There is no good reason for these new anti-strike curbs – they will poison industrial relations and do nothing to resolve current disputes.
“It’s little wonder that lawyers, politicians, rights groups and employers are all queueing up to criticise the legislation.
“Ministers must see sense and ditch this draconian Bill without delay.”
Tonia Nowitz, Professor of Labour Law at the University of Bristol, said:
“It is alarming that the 2023 ITUC Global Rights Index shows that violations of workers’ rights have become systematic here in the UK.
“There has been a dangerous decline in the UK’s international ranking and reputation.
“If ministers press on with the Strikes Bill, the UK’s global standing as a country that respects fundamental rights and freedoms is at real risk.”
