E/C.12/GBR/CO/6
(b)
Protect migrant workers and migrant domestic workers from all forms
of exploitation and abuse, including through the effective implementation of the
Modern Slavery Act 2015;
(c)
Improve the complaint mechanisms and legal assistance provided to
migrant workers;
(d)
Ensure effective inspection mechanisms for monitoring the conditions of
work of migrant workers and migrant domestic workers.
National minimum wage
36.
Despite the increase of the national minimum wage that came into effect on 1 April
2016, the Committee is concerned that it is not sufficient to ensure a decent standard of
living in the State party, particularly in London, and that it does not apply to workers under
the age of 25 (art. 7).
37.
The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that the national
minimum wage is periodically reviewed and set at a level sufficient to provide all
workers and their families with a decent standard of living. It also recommends that
the State party extend the protection of the national minimum wage to those under the
age of 25.
Trade union rights
38.
The Committee notes with concern the recent adoption of the Trade Union Act
2016, which has introduced procedural requirements that limit the right of workers to
undertake industrial action. The Committee is also concerned about the shortcomings in the
implementation of the Employment Relations Act 1999 and its Regulation 2010,
prohibiting blacklisting of trade union members (art. 8).
39.
The Committee recommends that the State party undertake a thorough review
of the new Trade Union Act 2016 and take all necessary measures to ensure that, in
line with its obligations under article 8 of the Covenant, all workers enjoy their trade
union rights without undue restrictions or interference. The Committee urges the
State party to take all necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation of
the Employment Relations Act 1999 and its Regulation 2010, which prohibit
blacklisting of trade union members, and guarantee that all workers who have been
blacklisted have access to effective legal remedies and compensation.
Social security
40.
The Committee is deeply concerned about the various changes in the entitlements to,
and cuts in, social benefits introduced by the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and the Welfare
Reform and Work Act 2016, such as the reduction of the household benefit cap, the
removal of the spare-room subsidy (bedroom tax), the four-year freeze on certain benefits
and the reduction in child tax credits. The Committee is particularly concerned about the
adverse impact of these changes and cuts on the enjoyment of the rights to social security
and to an adequate standard of living by disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and
groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, low-income families and
families with two or more children. The Committee is also concerned about the extent to
which the State party has made use of sanctions in relation to social security benefits and
the absence of due process and access to justice for those affected by the use of sanctions
(arts. 9 and 11).
7