The EU and you – protecting workers rights Presentation by Claire Bradley – Europe Direct Eastleigh

Why vote? The EU referendum will be the biggest decision any of us will need to make for a generation. The outcome of the decision will be profound, particularly if people vote to leave. Everyone’s vote counts, and every vote is important because the effects will be felt by everybody.

The EU doesn’t affect me…. Oh yes it does! EU law is behind -Your employment rights (rights to a written contract/protection from discrimination at work/maternity rights/equal pay/paternity rights/holidays/breaks at work/hours you work -Consumer rights – product safety/protection from unfair commercial practices/protection from misleading/unfair/misleading commercial practices/protection whilst buying stuff online/consumer credit agreements/toy safety

The EU doesn’t affect me… Environmental protection – safe food and drinking water/ traceable food/ protection of wildlife and beautiful habitats/protection of birds/ air quality/water quality/bathing water quality Travelling across Europe/EHIC/visitors from other EU countries to Hampshire -Jobs and trade -Justice rights

So From the quality of the air you breathe, to the water you drink, the range of foods you eat, the safety of the toys your kids play with, the rights you have at work, and your consumer rights and environmental protection, the EU affects your life!

So how does the EU help protect workers rights? The EU helps protect workers by passing laws on working conditions -Imposing a requirement that you must have a written contract within 2 months of starting work -- The hours you work (capped at 48 hours per week) is also set by the EU, including your rights to a break and your right to holidays.

There are also special working time rules that apply to certain sectors such as -Civil aviation -Rail -Seafarers -Commercial road users -Doctors

The EU also helps protect workers who are vulnerable to exploitation such as Part time workers Fixed term workers Agency workers These rules specify how part time workers and fixed term workers should be treated, and imposes a requirement for them to be made permanent after a four year period.

The EU has also imposed rules Regarding the health and safety of temporary workers and fixed term workers, so that they are not exposed to higher risks whilst at work.

Young workers are also protected If you are younger than 15 and in full time education, then the hours you work and the type of work you do is limited by law. If you are 13 or 14 then children are very restricted as to the type of work they can do, although you are allowed to take part in temporary, artistic, or sports related work.

The EU also protects workers Who work for a company whose circumstances change, so that the business is sold to a new employer, or the business goes bust.

Key cornerstone of EU Employment policy is equal treatment This includes equal treatment when apply for a job, equal treatment at work, protection of pregnant workers and breastfeeding mothers, and rights to maternity leave and parental leave.

Tackling discrimination Under EU law, it is illegal to discriminate against someone because of their: Racial and ethnic origin Religion and belief Disability Sexual orientation Age

The EU has also been very active on health and safety at work So most health and safety law comes from the EU.

The EU has also worked hard to ensure that workers in other Member States are also protected

Driving up youth employment is a key part of the EU employment strategy Erasmus + European voluntary service EURES - searchengine/page/main#/simpleSearchhttps://ec.europa.eu/eures/eures- searchengine/page/main#/simpleSearch EU Traineeships and Apprenticeships -

In the event of Brexit A substantial percentage of these rights and protections would stop applying. This is because EU law applies in the UK in two ways Directives are passed as law at EU level and then the UK Parliament passes an Act of Parliament implementing the EU law. Regulations apply once they are passed at EU level.

This causes a major problem if Britain pulls out altogether As there are many more regulations than directives. Once we pulled out, none of the Regulations would apply any more, unless we introduced them back into the UK legal system.

Any questions?