Trade Union Rights are Human Rights

IER reminds Joint Committee that trade union rights are fundamental human rights recognised in international law

On 9th June 2009, Professor Keith Ewing (IER President) and John Hendy, QC (IER Chairman)presented oral evidence on behalf of IER to the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

Watch the oral evidence (second half of the video). The written submission will be available following the publication of the Committee’s Report.

Remit of the 2009 Inquiry of the Joint Committee

The Joint Committee on Human Rights is holding an inquiry into business and human rights. The announced aim is to investigate the way in which businesses can affect such rights both positively and negatively; how business activities engage the relative responsibilities of the UK Government and individual businesses; and whether the existing UK regulatory, legal and voluntary framework provides adequate guidance and clarity to business as well as adequate protection for individual rights.

The Joint Committee on Human Rights, consists of twelve members appointed from both the Commons and the Lords. It is charged with considering human rights issues in the UK and undertakes thematic inquiries on human rights issues and reports its findings and recommendations to the House. It scrutinises all Government Bills and picks out those with significant human rights implications for further examination.