News EditorSolicitors Journal

New inquiry to examine how human rights are protected at work

New inquiry to examine how human rights are protected at work

Joint Committee on Human Rights launches inquiry

The UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights announced on 10 February the launch of a new inquiry that will assess the extent to which human rights are protected and respected in the workplace.  

The new inquiry aims to review how the protections guaranteed by the relevant UK statutory rights, international human rights instruments and the European Convention on Human Rights, which is incorporated into UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998, apply to the world of work and the rights of workers, in light of the recognition that the workplace can involve an imbalance of power between employers and workers, which can lead to harmful practices and human rights violations, such as exploitation and discrimination.

The Joint Committee has published a set of questions, seeking responses from interested stakeholders, on the following areas of inquiry: the freedom of association and the right to strike; the right to privacy and surveillance at work; freedom of thought, conscience and religion and freedom of expression in the workplace; labour market exploitation; retained EU Law and workers’ rights; and international human rights treaties.

The call for evidence explains that this inquiry is separate to the Joint Committee’s ongoing legislative scrutiny of the Strike (Minimum Service Levels) Bill 2022-2023.

In the area of privacy and surveillance in the workplace, the Joint Committee is looking to gather evidence, amongst other things, on: what forms of surveillance, which are being used to monitor workers, raise concerns under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and whether the current legal framework adequately protects workers’ Article 8 right to private and family life.

Chair of the Joint Committee, Joanna Cherry KC MP, commented, “Employment often has an inherent power imbalance that can leave workers vulnerable to exploitation or discrimination. There is an obligation on the Government to ensure that there is a comprehensive framework in place that ensure the rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights are protected at work. The Joint Committee on Human Rights has launched this inquiry to understand how rights are currently protected at work and pinpoint where greater safeguards may be needed.”

The submission period for contributions to this new inquiry closes on 24 March 2023.

 

AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement
Latest News

The Chancery Lane Project expands to the USA

Thu Sep 21 2023

Delay in Final Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry

Thu Sep 21 2023

Attorney General presents UK intervention in Ukraine case against Russia at International Court of Justice

Thu Sep 21 2023

Firms losing potential clients by failing to return their calls, research shows

Thu Sep 21 2023

Powers of attorney modernised as legislation allows CILEX Lawyers to certify LPA copies for the first time

Thu Sep 21 2023

Stark contrast between Government response to Post Office Horizon victims and Infected Blood

Wed Sep 20 2023

ACSO comments on the Justice select Committee report:

Wed Sep 20 2023

Campaigners win permission to appeal against Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station ruling

Tue Sep 19 2023

Pre-inquest review into the deaths of Reading murder victims, James Furlong, Dr David Wails and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett

Mon Sep 18 2023
FeaturedAudit reform: if not now, when?
Audit reform: if not now, when?
Browne Jacobson collaborates with LGiU on report highlighting “critical” role of local government to hit net zero
Browne Jacobson collaborates with LGiU on report highlighting “critical” role of local government to hit net zero
The battle for talent – promoting diversity
The battle for talent – promoting diversity
BSB publishes new guidance on barristers’ conduct in non-professional life and on social mediaSJ interview: Adrian Chopin
SJ interview: Adrian Chopin
Whose human rights are more important, yours or mine?
Whose human rights are more important, yours or mine?