According to a new Trades UNion Congress (TUC) report, employment tribunal fees have been a huge victory for Britain’s worst bosses.The report was published on 29 July and marks the first anniversary of the charges for employment tribunals.
‘What Price Justice?’ is the report that gives vital details about what has been happening since the introduction of the fees, it shows that since July 2013 when the fees were introduced, there has been a 79 per cent overall drop in claims taken to employment tribunals. The people most affected by this are women and low-paid workers.
The report has analysed statistics released by the Ministry of Justice and revealed the following concerning findings;
• Women are among the most affected. There has been an 80 per cent drop in the number of females employees pursuing sex discrimination claims.
• The number of women pursuing pregnancy discrimination claims has dropped by more than a quarter.Just
• The first three months of 2014 saw the number of race discrimination and sexual orientation claims both plummet by 60 per cent compared to the same period in 2013.
• The trend has been similar for disability claims having fallen 46 per cent from the figures for the previous year.
One of the most alarming statistics is that workers are also now being cheated out of their wages without repercussion. The number of workers pursuing claims for non-payment of the national minimum wage has dropped by 70 per cent and claims for wages and holiday pay not being paid have fallen by 85 per cent.
The report makes clear that the reason many people are being put off making a claim is because the tribunal cost is often more expensive than the money they are owed.
Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary said:
“Employment tribunal fees have been a huge victory for Britain’s worst bosses. By charging up-front fees for harassment and abuse claims the government has made it easier for bad employers to get away with the most appalling behaviour. Tribunal fees are part of a wider campaign to get rid of workers’ basic rights. The consequence has been to price low-paid and vulnerable people out of justice”
Contact Us
For legal advice on employment issues, or any other legal problems you may have, please complete our online enquiry form or call us on 0141 221 1919.
