Effect given to the recommendations of the committee and the Governing Body - Report No 304, June 1996

Effect given to the recommendations of the Committee and the Governing Body

1. 18. At its March 1996 meeting (see 302nd Report, paras. 24-26), the Committed noted the Government's indications that the hearing in the Harrison v. Kent County Council case had been postponed at the request of the parties in order to negotiate a possible settlement and requested the Government to keep it informed of the developments in this regard. Furthermore, the Committee once again urged the Government to take steps to extend to workers an express protection against blacklisting or other forms of discrimination based on past trade union membership or activities.
2. 19. In a communication dated 13 March 1996, the Government indicates that the position of the Harrison v. Kent County Council case remains unchanged and the parties are still attempting to reach a settlement. The Government repeats its conviction that existing legislation already provides adequate protection against discrimination on grounds of trade union membership or activities and that there are extensive procedures to ensure that the legislation is effectively implemented. Consequently, the Government does not believe that there is any need to take further steps at this time, but it will keep the Committee informed should there be any legislative developments in this area.
3. 20. The Committee takes note of this information and requests the Government to continue to keep it informed of any developments in the Harrison case. In addition, the Committee must once again recall that the circumstances giving rise to this case indicated that an express protection in the legislation against blacklisting or other forms of discrimination based on past trade union membership or activities was necessary in order to ensure full protection to workers in this regard. The Committee urges the Government to give consideration to such explicit protection and to keep it informed of any measures taken.