The following has been supplied by the TUC:
The TUC has slammed new plans to make workers with household savings of £3,000 pay the full cost of going to an employment tribunal.
The fees introduced on 29 July mean workers can be required to pay up to £1,200 for taking a tribunal complaint about issues including victimisation for safety activities, sexual harassment or race discrimination.
The government had claimed a system of 'fee remissions' would mean those on lower incomes would not have to pay the full charge. But, under proposals announced this week, any individual or household reaching the £3,000 savings threshold will not be entitled to any fee remission. From next month they will have to pay the maximum £1,200 fee to take a safety victimisation case to tribunal, for example, even if they are in a low-paid job or on means-tested benefits.
The TUC says the government's decision will affect over two-fifths of all UK households and more than a third of couples with children. It adds the proposals will force low-paid workers to raid their savings and deter them from pursuing genuine cases. TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'These plans will seriously limit access to justice for those who have been prudent enough to put money aside for hard times. Forcing people to raid their savings will serve only to deter victims from challenging unlawful behaviour by employers and is yet another attack on people's rights at work.' She added: 'Low-paid and older workers are likely to be the biggest victims from these proposals that give even more power to Britain's worst bosses.' The union body believes that in discouraging workplace whistleblowing, the system will make workplaces more dangerous. The TUC analysis of the Family Resources Survey shows that 46 per cent of all UK households will not qualify for a remission and 39 per cent of couples with children will have to pay full fees. The proposals will also penalise older workers who are more likely to have savings.
