Unite Scotland has repeated it’s call for the devolution of employment law. The appeal follows Wednesday’s decision by the Supreme Court that the UK government was wrong to raise employment tribunal fees.
Judges ruled that the increase in tribunal fees ‘is unlawful under both domestic and EU law because it has the effect of preventing access to justice’.
The number of cases taken to employment tribunals had fallen by 70 per cent since fees were introduced, which particularly affected low paid women. The £1,500 fee was introduced by the coalition government, despite warnings from unions that this would be a barrier to workplace fairness.
Unite Scottish Secretary Pat Rafferty said: “What this judicial decision does is highlight the fact we cannot rely nor trust a Conservative Government to be on the side of working people.
“For this reason, we are repeating our calls, irrespective of any potential referendums, that employment law be devolved to Scotland as part of the post-Brexit settlement. This is essential if we are to create a fair and equal society. Unite urges all of Scotland’s elected representatives at Holyrood and Westminster to support this call.”
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