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Composite Motion: C18 Rights for freelance and atypical workers

Issue date

Motion 72 and amendment and 73

 

Congress notes that atypical working continues to increase across the economy and that the number of self-employed and freelance workers is rising year on year.

Congress notes that self-employed workers comprise more than 15 per cent of the UK’s labour force – the greatest number since records began. Average self-employed earnings fell by 22 per cent in the six years to 2014, and freelances have often been the first casualty of cuts.

Congress recognises that self-employed workers are critical to the creative industries. It further notes that many companies, particularly in the media industry, have increased casualisation of work at the same time as cutting numbers of staff.

Congress calls on the General Council to raise awareness among affiliates about the needs of freelance workers, particularly creating rights to: collective bargaining; fair contracts; intellectual property; and access to the benefits system.

As part of its Making Tax Digital Roadmap, published in 2015, the government has proposed that all self-employed workers should submit a quarterly report in an approved format to HMRC. These reforms, which will be included in the 2017 Finance Bill, will increase administrative burdens on self-employed workers who have irregular working patterns, frequently travel for work or may be digitally excluded.

A greater frequency in errors could also arise from quarterly reporting which in turn would result in an increase in the penalties levied on self-employed workers. There are also concerns that, over time, quarterly reporting could also lead to a requirement on self-employed workers to pay tax quarterly.

In sectors such as construction where false self-employment is endemic, assignments are temporary and there is frequent movement between PAYE and self-employment, workers will be especially vulnerable to errors and missed deadlines.

Congress resolves to:

i     support campaigning and lobbying undertaken by unions to ensure that self-employed workers are given a choice about which methods they use to comply with their taxation obligations

ii     campaign for proposals to be delayed until false self-employment is eradicated.

Congress further resolves to:

a    call for the reform of HMRC rules that threaten self-employed workers’ tax status if they accept employer-funded training

b    assess and monitor the impact of digital taxation on self-employed workers

c    lobby the International Labour Organisation to adopt a Convention on atypical workers that encompasses the above principles

d    support the efforts of unions to organise and represent atypical workers.

Mover: Equity

Seconder: National Union of Journalists

Supporter: Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians

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