I note government officials have raised the prospect that hard won workers’ rights could be reviewed by the Conservative government after Brexit in an attempt to boost Britain’s economy.
A Whitehall impact assessment singles out workers’ protections – such as preventing people from being forced to work too many hours-as an area that might be used for “maximising regulatory opportunities” after withdrawal from the EU.
This shows that ministers are considering weakening employment rights post Brexit which I find an absolute disgrace.
Prime Minister Theresa May has consistently said she will not weaken worker rights after Brexit, but she has failed to commit to maintaining specific protections to do with working hours.
Recently the government has faced intense questions over the Brexit assessment paper, which MPs can now view under certain conditions.
But it has already been reported that the paper suggests the UK will be worse off after Brexit.
The section maximising regulatory opportunities specifically mentions the EU Working Time Directive as one of the regulations that could present an opportunity. The directive currently limits the hours that someone can work in a week to 48 hours for most employees, makes annual leave compulsory and states that staff must be allowed at least 11 hours rest between a working day.
While the prime minister has committed to maintaining and enhancing workers rights in general, she has refused to rule out the possibility that protections in the EU working time directive could be altered.
I do not trust any minister that refers to the Working Time Directive as intolerable.
We need a Brexit that protects jobs and guarantees workers’ rights.
All options must be kept on the negotiating table. But the best option I currently see to protect workers is through the single market and customs union.
For me and surely many other people, workers’ rights are essential, not intolerable.
Rodney Sadd
Carrington Road
