Warning over loss of workers’ rights if Brexit camp wins

MORE than 820,000 part-time and temporary employees in the North West, along with over 930,000 parents, risk losing rights at work if the UK leaves the European Union, the TUC has warned today.

Rights guaranteed for these groups under EU law include time off for parents to spend with their children, and for part-time and temporary employees to have equal pay, holidays, pensions and benefits as any permanent or full-time colleagues doing similar jobs.

If the UK leaves the EU, these rights would no longer be guaranteed. As outlined in a recent legal opinion by Michael Ford QC, a post-Brexit government could weaken or entirely remove these rights – something which senior Leave campaigners have already called for.

Boris Johnson, for example, has demanded Britain “scrap” the European basis for these rights, the TUC says. He described the protections for workers as a “back-breaking” burden on business.

TUC Regional Secretary for the North West, Lynn Collins, said: “Voting to leave the EU is a massive risk for working people across the North West – particularly women. Women are far more likely to be in part-time or temporary work, and many rely on parental rights to look after their children.

“Brexit cheerleaders have already shown how eager they are to undermine our working rights. Leaving the EU gives them free rein to peel away our protections against bad bosses.

“Generations of trade unionists fought for workers’ rights to be legally guaranteed. A Brexit could gamble them away.”