Employment Law & Brexit: Whats going to happen now?
Following the UK’s Brexit decision in June, and the recent parliamentary debate on workers’ rights, there have been limited assurances surrounding the future of UK employment law, many of which conjoin with EU Law, despite the economic growth.
The UK’s business, energy and industrial strategy (BEIS) minister, Greg Clark defined how the Government’s strategy is to transfer all EU worker rights into UK law, including rights derived from European Court of Justice Decisions that may not be explicitly set out in EU legislation through the Great Repeal Bill.
Since the Brexit outcome it has been necessary for the government to consider all options, including the sunset clause. This would mean that after the UK’s departure from Europe, EU legislation and British laws based on EU directives automatically cease to have force, unless they are reaffirmed through the UK’s legislative process.
Mr Clark said “The workers’ rights that are enjoyed under the EU will be part of that Bill and will be brought across into UK law. That is very clear. There is no intention of having a sunset clause,”
But opposition MPs have been cautious of statements surrounding Brexit, while expressing their concern about legislations that would be passed by Parliament and the secondary legislation, drafted by government, can be amended or repealed by statutory instruments, which can become law without being passed by Parliament.
Carrie-Ann Randall, employment law specialist at Lawson-West Solicitors said: “Protecting workers rights is our main objective so news of the plan is really encouraging as it shows the government’s commitment to ensuring that the transfer of employment law and litigation does not create turbulence in the business market.”
Please contact Ashley Hunt and Carrie-Ann Randall on 01858 445480 or Vaishali Thakerar on 0116 212 1000 if you need advice on employment status.
