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Tuesday, 12 May 2009 10:49 |
I warmly welcome the Government's plans to introduce new regulations to prevent union members being denied employment by secret blacklists.
In March the Information Commissioner reported that 40 construction companies had subscribed to a database used to vet construction workers, which has now been closed under data protection law. Under the Employment Relations Act 1999, the government has the power to introduce regulations prohibiting the blacklisting of workers for their union membership or activities.
There will now be a consultation in the early summer on revised regulations.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“It is outrageous that unscrupulous employers have been victimising trade unionists through shady blacklisting practices that have no place in a democratic society.
“I am glad that the Government is now consulting speedily on this issue which will, I hope, lead to quick and effective action to outlaw this utterly unacceptable practice.”
Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson said:
“People should not be victimised at work or denied access to employment opportunities because of their trade union membership.
“Evidence from the Information Commissioner showed there was a problem. There is already legal protection against the misuse of people’s personal details. We now plan to strengthen the law by introducing new regulations to outlaw the compilation, dissemination and use of blacklists in this way.”
- Ministers plan to seek Parliamentary approval for the regulations in the autumn and implement them as soon as it can thereafter.
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