TRADE UNION RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Early day motion 264, tabled 11 December 2008 by Austin Mitchell (Labour). Signed by 40 members.

That this House notes that 10 December 2008 marks 60 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and that article 23 of the UDHR recognises the right to form and to join a trade union; further notes with concern that trade union rights are frequently violated across the world, that trade unionists are murdered in Colombia, imprisoned or face execution in Iran, and beaten in Zimbabwe; regrets that successive anti-union legislation in the UK has meant that trades union rights are now weaker than those introduced by the Trades Disputes Act 1906, leading to management using staff associations, bureaucratic measures and lack of consultation to block the work of unions; believes that free and independent trades unions are a force for good in the world, being vital to democracy and providing protection for working people; and therefore reaffirms its commitment to protecting and extending trades union rights, along with all other human rights, across the world.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Liberal Democrat 7, Independent 2, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.