History
The Beginning
NGH was established in 1984 when individuals and organisations working at a local level on homeworking issues came together and realised that there was a need to campaign at a national level. NGH was constituted and the members began to strategically co-ordinate campaigning work on homeworking; and to ensure that homeworkers' needs were addressed at national level by Government policy and other decision makers.
Key Achievements
1994 Publication of "Home Truths: Key results from a National Survey of Homeworkers". This report becomes a key reference point for future NGH work.
1997 Provision of free phone Employment Rights Advice & Information line service for homeworkers - which continues to this day.
1998 Delivered DTI awareness campaign on bogus homeworking schemes.
1999 Homeworkers are specifically mentioned in legislation entitling them to the new National Minimum Wage. Burden of proof shifted to employers in NMW legislation.
2000 Formation of a partnership with solicitors Morrish and Co. to give homeworkers members access to free specialist employment rights advice.
2002 Joined Ethical Trading Initiative and provided key UK input into ETI Homework Guidelines - which are being developed for employers of homeworkers in supply chains of ETI retailer members.
2002 Responded to DTI employment status review with "The Employment Status of UK Homeworkers" report, arguing for employment rights to be extended to all homeworkers who are not in business on their own account
2004 Launched "Made At Home: British homeworkers in global supply chains" – a joint report and campaign with Oxfam and the TUC.
2005 National Minimum Wage legislation amended to end ‘Fair Estimate Agreements’ which disadvantaged workers on piece rates (and meant some earning only four-fifths of the NMW). Fair piece rates replace Fair Estimate Agreements.
NGH Work in Recent Years
Our current and recent work includes:
• Facilitation of meetings of homeworkers wanting to organise collectively in relation to a common problem or issue (mainly in respect to not being paid the national minimum wage).
• Provision of financial support for room hire, travel expenses etc.
• Carrying out consultations with homeworkers and enabling them to be involved in events and activities.
• Carrying out research to provide evidence which is used in campaigns and lobbying. Working with policy makers and the press to ensure homeworking stays on the agenda and solutions are explored.
• Publication of information and research on homeworking.
• Provision of advice & information materials in English, Welsh, Urdu and Punjabi.
• Publication of a regular members' newsletter with information about the work taking place in the UK and across the world.
• Development of strategies to work with retailers and employers of homeworkers to develop and implement best practice, in particular through our membership of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI).
• Provision of a free phone Advice & Information line for homeworkers.