This resolution on 'homeworking' was agreed unanimously at the July meeting of Hackney TUC.


proposed by John Page, Hackney TUC Secretary

Click 'read more' below to see the text of the resolution.

Hackney TUC acknowledges;



· That 'Made at home', a report from TUC, Oxfam and the National Group on Homeworking (NGH), says homeworkers frequently work for pennies with few employment rights - no minimum wage, no sick pay, no maternity leave, no redundancy pay, forced overtime and no health and safety checks.

· The groups are calling on the government to extend all employment rights to homeworkers and agency and casual workers under the current Employment Status Review.

· They would also like to see the government implement the International Convention on Homework, the international labour standard set down by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

· The three organisations are also calling on retailers to ensure that workers' rights are upheld throughout their supply chains - in the UK as well as internationally.

· TUC general secretary Brendan Barber has said: 'The situation is made worse because the law covering homeworkers is unclear. If they complain, it's likely that their supply of work will stop without notice, so many homeworkers stay silent and abuses go unreported. Homeworkers should get the same employment rights as all other employees - their status as third class workers cannot be allowed to continue.'

· That the conditions in Hackney are such as to create an environment where unscrupulous employers can exploit vulnerable workers, particularly new migrant and refugee workers.

· That the existence of a pool of workers unprotected by employment legislation, or collective organisation, undermines the whole labour and trade union movement's attempts to challenge low pay.

Hackney TUC therefore resolves:

To seek to work with partners, such as the National Group on Homeworking, the Hackney Migrant Support Group, Hackney Law Centre, the TUC Education centre at CONEL, No Sweat, community groups and relevant trade unions to identify campaign resources and other funds to discuss a strategic approach to challenging exploitative homeworking.

The principles of the approach to include;

Seeking the extension of employment rights and the implementation of ILO conventions as called for above.

Promoting, organising and supporting the unionisation of homeworkers in the borough.

Working with community groups, (including cultural and religious bodies where appropriate) to cascade knowledge of employment rights to those workers who have no current contact with the trade union movement.

Seeking to identify funding opportunities (including resources to employ a part time organiser) to ensure that this initiative is professional and has continuity.