The Government confirms plans for a Single Enforcement Body in the UK
A new Single Body Enforcement Body, but further detail is needed.
Last week The Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy confirmed plans for a Single Enforcement Body (SEB) to protect worker’s rights. Business Minister Paul Scully, said “we will take action against big brands that turn a blind eye to abuses of worker’s rights”.
The Government have labelled the SEB as a ‘One Stop Shop’ which they claim will help improve enforcement through better coordination enforcement and pool intelligence.
They advise that ‘One Stop Shop’ is to be the watchdog, guarding worker’s rights by providing a single recognizable port of call for workers. Employers will also have to provide modern slavery statements and agency workers reports. The SEB will take over the naming and shaming scheme which calls out employers who fail to pay NMW, with hitting them hard with fines of up to £20,000 per worker. It is the Government’s view is the SEB will help reduce Employment Tribunal claims.
Some Trade Unions are pleased with the SEB announcement and support the Government’s innovative for better enforcement to protect people in the workplace. However, RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch advises, “we need to see more details of the Government’s proposals”. We need to see how the SEB will help vulnerable workers get the holiday and statutory sick pay they are entitled to without having to go through a lengthy employment tribunal process.
The SEB also does not have any plans to regulate the umbrella sector. We have seen umbrella companies being connected in the past with both Holiday Pay and loan charge scandals. The SEB could have significant implications for employers. The proposals are very employee friendly and it is anticipated that the initial focus will be on the short falls in National Minimum Wage, Holiday pay and SSP issues in the workplace.
The Government have not yet been provided any time frames, as the new enforcement will need to be established in law. Without any timetables in place Morrish Solicitors will continue to observe the Governments plans and their commitments to legislate to improve worker’s rights.
