The new prime minister is reportedly considering a review of workers’ rights as part of a wider ‘fire’ of 1,500 EU laws she wants to take off the UK’s statute books before the end of 2023. Under the level playing field agreements in the Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) sealed by Lord Frost with the EU, the UK can deviate from the bloc’s rules but not to such an extent that to give the UK a business advantage over rivals on the continent and Ireland. Catherine Barnard, a professor of EU law at Cambridge University and a Brexit expert, said the deal allowed for safeguards, including tariffs, to be imposed by either side if the playing field was uneven. “THE [deal] it allows the UK to deviate from EU rules on workers’ rights, but if the deviation affects trade and investment, then the EU can start the non-backsliding process against the UK,” he said. “This includes consultation, followed by the establishment of a special panel of experts and ultimately retaliation against the UK if the UK is found to be in breach. That means tariffs,” he said. Workers’ rights, including maximum weekly hours, equal pay for men and women, holiday and rest rights, are enshrined in laws maintained by the EU, including the Working Time Directive. As the self-styled “Brexit delivery prime minister”, Truss’ proposed timetable for getting rid of some EU laws has been accelerated with promises to scrap all remaining EU regulations by the end of 2023. But the significant divergence on rights would not only add to tensions in already strained relations with the EU, but also trigger a major row with the unions. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has demanded assurances from the Government that workers’ “hard-won” rights are not in the firing line following comments from Jacob Rees-Mogg. As Brexit opportunity minister in Boris Johnson’s government, Rees-Mogg promised a firestorm of EU rules with a five-year expiry date, or sunset clause, for 1,500 pieces of EU legislation. He told ministers he would reduce the burden of regulation on businesses, prompting unions to demand guarantees that workers’ rights are not between them. TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Threatening workers’ hard-won rights is the last thing the country and workers need. “Holiday pay, equal pay for women and men, safe limits on working hours and parental leave are just some of the rights underpinned by retained EU law. These are all necessary – they’re not nice to have.” Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. The TUC has said the UK already lags behind the EU on workers’ rights in areas such as the gig economy, and if EU law eroded, inequalities and rights would be harder to fix in the future in Britain. “Ministers are threatening to destroy workers’ legal rights while attacking their ability to defend their working conditions through collective action,” O’Grady said. “The Conservatives promised to protect and strengthen workers’ rights. Now they seem determined to take a sledgehammer to them.” The UK’s commitment to International Labor Organization (ILO) standards, including the right to strike, is also set out in the TCA. The TUC has complained to the ILO about a new law hastily introduced by Grant Shapps, aimed at rail strikers, which allows employers to use agency workers. If there was a negative finding from the ILO, the EU could also intervene under the TCA, said Jeff Kenner, professor of European law at the University of Nottingham. What is Liz Truss’s vision for Britain? – video explanation
