Better Enforcement
The Case for a Fair Employment Commission
NGH supports the Citizens Advice campaign for a Fair Employment Commission. Whilst there have been many improvements to statutory employment rights in recent years, hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable low paid workers in the UK are missing out. They are non-unionised and are working from home or in small work places – and don’t have access to the kind of information and support they need in order to assert their statutory rights.
Whilst the government proactively enforces the National Minimum Wage through the NMW Compliance Unit and health and safety standards through the Health and Safety Executive, there is no equivalent body to investigate workers being denied their rightful holiday pay, maternity protections, sick pay or other key employment rights. Citizens Advice is arguing that a Fair Employment Commission is needed to do this job, providing a more joined-up system of advice and guidance for small employers, and a more proactive approach to compliance and, where necessary, enforcement.
For further information and to view the Citizens Advice briefing 'Somewhere to turn: The case for a Fair Employment Commission' please visit:
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/campaigns/social_policy/ev idence_reports/er_employment/ev-somewheretoturn