Spot the Difference - Employment Rights for Homeworkers
The National Group on Homeworking is campaigning to win employment rights for homeworkers. Currently thousands of homeworkers miss out on key rights such as maternity leave or protection against unfair dismissal or redundancy because their employment status is unclear. We want a change in the law to grant homeworkers full employment rights and recognition as employees just like on-site workers.
Support for our campaign
A wide range of organisations have already signed up to support our campaign. The following organisations all agree that 'Homeworkers deserve the same rights and protection as those employed in factories or offices.'
- The Fawcett Society
- Northern Ireland Committee, Irish Congress of Trade Unions
- GMB
- The Poverty Alliance
- The Wainwright Trust
- Institute for Employment Rights
- BECTU
- COMMUNITY
- USDAW
- TUC Yorkshire and Humber Regional Council
- Oxfam
- HomeWorkers Worldwide
- Central American Women’s Network
- No Sweat
- Labour Behind the Label
- Monsoon Accessorize
- ATD Fourth World
- Wales TUC
- TGWU
- ENGENDER
- Ethical Consumer Research Association
- TUC Northern Region
- South and Eastern Region TUC
- Women Working Worldwide
- CWU
- NUJ
- End Child Poverty
- UCATT
- National Council for One Parent Families
- Age Concern
- Ethical Trading Initiative
- National Council of Women of Great Britain
- Church Action on Poverty
- Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland
- FBU
- Muslim Council of Britain
- National Assembly of Women
- Citizens Advice
Campaign information
Thousands of workers in the UK are vulnerable to exploitation from unscrupulous employers, either because they do not have full employment status, or because it is unclear whether they have employment status or not. Currently homeworkers have to negotiate their way through a maze of legal arguments, tests and obstructions simply for a chance to gain the rights other employees are automatically entitled to, rights such as maternity leave, sick pay and protections against unfair dismissal and redundancy.
In 2002 the Government conducted a consultation asking whether employment rights should be extended to any groups of workers who are currently missing out. NGH and others responded, arguing for the extension of all existing employment rights to all workers, and specifically all homeworkers who are not genuinely self-employed.
Unfortunately, whilst the 2002 consultation raised hopes that the government was intending to take action in this area, the government's response - which was only delivered on 30th March 2006 - was extremely disappointing. The 'Success at Work - Protecting Vulnerable Workers, Supporting Good Employers' strategy paper states;
"Having reviewed the evidence provided in responses to the consultation and taken account of action already undertaken since 1997, we believe changes to the legal framework would not prevent instances of abuse or lack of awareness. It could however damage labour market flexibility and result in a reduction in overall employment. We have concluded that the present legal framework reflects the wide diversity of working arrangements and the different levels of responsibility and rights in different employment relationships. The Government believes that it meets the labour market's current needs and there is no need for further legislation in this area".
We strongly disagree and are stepping up our campaigning to secure a change in the law.
Whilst the whole issue of employment status is incredibly complicated, our position is simple. Homeworkers deserve the same employment rights and protections as those employed in factories or offices.
We are asking our members and supporters to help back our campaign for employment rights for homeworkers. Please send a campaign email or a letter to the Minister for Employment Relations - information below - and watch this space for further information on how you can get involved.
Campaign report
Click below to read NGH's campaign report Equal Rights = Employment Rights to find out why we want to see a change in the law to guarantee employment rights for homeworkers.
http://www.ngh.org.uk/resource-files/Microsoft_Word_-_Employment_ Status_Report_May_20061147966691.pdf