Tribunal fees weaken workers’ rights

Independent arbitration service ACAS is "absolutely right" to express concerns over the introduction of employment tribunal fees, says CWU head of legal services Tony Rupa.

The comments came as an estimated three million workers faced being removed altogether from employment protection in April under new laws extending the qualification period for a tribunal from one to two years of employment.

And for those who stay in the same job long enough to secure legal protection, access to that protection will be restricted through the introduction of pre-trial fees for those taking cases to industrial tribunals. Complainants will be required to pay between £150 and £250 to file a claim and then a further £1,000 should this proceed to a hearing, while higher fees can apply when higher compensation awards are being sought.

With some 30 per cent of complainants on annual salaries of £15,000 or less, and around 70 per cent earning below the UK average - according to research by the TUC - concerns are high that these measures will impact disproportionately on vulnerable workers most in need of legal protection.

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Source: CWU