Current Happenings

Mandelson is new minister for business
Posted 3rd October 2008

Gordon Brown has appointed Peter Mandelson as the new Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform – the department with responsibility for employment regulations.

Mandelson replaces John Hutton, who angered many labour rights activists when he ruled out new rights for workers claiming the government had reached the ‘end of an era’ of major employment reform. However, Peter Mandelson is also known to be pro-business and anti-union, so his return to government is of real concern to those who want better protections for workers.

Homeworkers are vulnerable workers and NGH has repeatedly called on the government to revise the rules on employment status and extend employment rights to homeworkers. With Mandelson as the new Secretary of State it is vital that campaigners keep up the pressure on government to reconsider this issue.

Related link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7650013.stm

World Day for Decent Work
Posted 1st October 2008

The global trade union movement is holding a World Day for Decent Work on Tuesday 7 October. To mark the event in the UK, the TUC is organising a day of activities at Congress House, London, focusing on rights at work and ending inequality in the workplace.

The event promises to be the largest ever gathering of international development and labour-related organisations in the UK concerned with the Decent Work agenda.

NGH is taking part in the event as part of a panel of women’s labour rights organisations. Together with Homeworkers WorldWide, Central American Women’s Network, Women Working Worldwide and WIEGO, NGH will participate in presentations and debates exploring how women around the world are fighting to improve their working conditions.

Related link:
http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-15397-f0.cfm?th eme=wddw

Minimum wage to increase on 1st October
Posted 29th September 2008

Approximately one million workers will benefit when the national minimum wage increases to £5.73 per hour on Wednesday 1 October 2008.

Two-thirds of the beneficiaries will be women, reinforcing the minimum wage's positive role in narrowing the gender pay gap.

The adult rate will increase by 3.8% from £5.52 to £5.73 per hour. The rates for younger workers will rise to £4.77 for those aged 18-21, and £3.53 per hour for those aged 16-17.

If you are a homeworker and believe you are not receiving the minimum wage for the work you do, get in contact with NGH and we will try to help. Call our free advice line on 0800 174 095

Related link:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/pay/national -minimum-wage/

The Work Goes On: 100 Years of Homework
Posted 24th September 2008

NGH has published a new book, ‘The Work Goes On: 100 Years of Homework.’

In 1908 a select committee of MPs met to investigate homeworkers’ pay and conditions, and to decide what action, if any was necessary to improve things. The committee uncovered evidence of low pay, long hours and poor living and working conditions.

A century later, in 2008 it is a good moment to look back and assess what has changed for homeworkers. The report explores issues such as minimum wages, employment rights and support for homeworkers.

As well as looking back over the last one hundred years it looks forward, to the challenges ahead and asks how close we are to achieving current campaign demands such as full employment rights for homeworkers, and strengthened enforcement of the law.

The book is on sale for £5.00 but is available free to members of NGH. If you would like to get hold of a copy, please get in touch.

Let’s Clean Up Fashion 2008
Posted 23rd September 2008

A new report reveals just how far the fashion industry still has to go in paying its workers a decent living wage.

Each year the ‘Clean Up Fashion’ campaign holds high street companies to account, and compares their promises on ethical trading with the reality for workers on the ground. In 2008 the Clean Up Fashion report focuses on living wages. The appalling truth is that the people who make our clothes – whoever and wherever they are – live in poverty, usually earning just half of what they need to meet their basic needs and those of their families.

The report shows that the fashion industry is split between companies that have begun to take action on the ground on wages, and those that haven't. The report also questions the effectiveness of some of those 'on the ground' initiatives, and examines why productivity improvements on their own are not enough.

Read the report to find out more about the struggle to ensure garment workers receive a living wage, and see what your favourite brands are doing to clean up their act.

Related link:
http://www.cleanupfashion.co.uk/

NGH at TUC – Four days in Brighton and one hundred years of homework.
Posted 1st September 2008

The National Group on Homeworking will be at the TUC conference in Brighton this year, raising awareness about homeworking and challenging unions to do more to organise homeworkers.

NGH will have a campaign stand throughout the conference (September 8th-11th) and will also be hosting a special fringe meeting ‘Organising the Unorganisable? Homeworkers, trade unions and vulnerable employment’ on Monday night. The meeting will take place at 5:30pm in Meeting Room 5 of the Brighton Centre. If you are attending the TUC conference please come along for what should be a really interesting and productive discussion.

As well as providing an opportunity for delegates to discuss the challenges and opportunities of organising homeworkers, the fringe meeting will also see the official launch of the new NGH publication, ‘The Work Goes On… 100 Years of Homework.’ The report, a survey of homeworking in the UK from 1908 to the present day, will shortly be available from NGH, so if you would like more information please get in touch.

Related link:
http://www.tuc.org.uk/congress/