Tory plans to resurrect fees for workers suing bad bosses slammed by unions

26 February 2024 , 00:01

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Fees were ditched in 2017 after a Supreme Court challenge (Image: Getty Images)

Almost 50 unions, charities and legal groups join forces today to condemn Tory plans to resurrect fees for workers seeking to sue bad bosses.

The joint statement comes after ministers kick-started a consultation last month to reintroduce fees at employment tribunals. They were ditched in 2017 after the Government lost a landmark Supreme Court challenge brought by Unison union.

In a joint statement the groups including the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Disability Rights UK, Maternity Action and the Fawcett Society said the measure would “give a green light to bad employers to exploit their workers”. "Bad employers are being given the go-ahead to undercut good ones, safe in the knowledge they are less likely to face claims in the employment tribunal.

They added: “Workers seeking recovery of wage theft, unpaid redundancy pay and compensation for unfair dismissal are being asked to stump up extra money at an incredibly tough moment in their lives.” Urging the Government to reconsider the plans amid the cost of living crisis, they warn: “Access to justice must never be contingent on your ability to pay”.

Last month the Ministry of Justice said it was looking at “introducing modest fees” for employment tribunals. The department said: “This will ensure users are paying towards the running costs of the tribunals and put its users on broadly the same footing as users of other courts and tribunals who already pay fees.”

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TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “All working people should be able to enforce their rights. But introducing fees for tribunals puts yet another hurdle in the way of those seeking justice at their most vulnerable moment. Employment tribunal fees give employers a pass to exploit workers - whether it’s discrimination, unfair sackings or withheld wages”.

Rosalind Bragg, director at Maternity Action Group, said: "Charging fees for employment tribunal claims puts the justice system out of reach for women at a time when they are most in need of protection."

The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.

Ashley Cowburn