IWGB votes to campaign and against Brexit and repeal of Human Rights Act

Motion to campaign against repeal of the Human Rights Act (1998) passed by IWGB

IWGB notes with concern that the Conservative government intends to repeal the Human Rights Act (1998) (“HRA”/ “the Act”), which codifies the protections in the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.

It is not yet clear what will replace the Act, but IWGB believes it is likely that any proposal originating from the Conservative party will militate against the interests of trade unions and of working people more generally.

IWGB notes that many of the employment rights on which our members’ wellbeing and the functioning of the union depend arise from the Act, as well as other fundamental rights and freedoms that people in the UK enjoy, including amongst others:

• Freedom of assembly and association
• Freedom of expression
• Freedom from slavery and forced labour
• Freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment
• Right to participate in free elections
• Freedom of thought, belief and religion
• Right to liberty and security
• No punishment without law
• Protection from discrimination in respect of these rights and freedoms

IWGB believes its members will suffer as a consequence of these rights being withdrawn or modified.

IWGB is firmly opposed to the repeal of the Human Rights Act (1998) and resolves:

• To identify and work with other groups that are campaigning against the repeal of the HRA
• To suggest statements and other ways in which the union can campaign against the repeal of the HRA as government policy becomes clear
• To inform and educate members and the general public about the consequences for working people of the repeal or modification of the HRA
• To build networks of solidarity and support in the wider community.

Motion on the EU Referendum passed by IWGB

IWGB notes with concern that the Conservative government’s plans to offer UK citizens an in/out referendum on EU membership in 2017 could lead to the UK’s exit from the European Union.

IWGB believes an exit would be detrimental to many IWGB members and their families, many of whom reside in the UK based on its membership of the EU.

IWGB further believes that the push for exit is being driven by the nationalist right who want to attack migrants as well as workers’ rights more generally, and would have negative consequences for workers and particularly migrants in the UK.

IWGB also notes the strength of anti-immigrant and anti-rights rhetoric which is being used by political figures and by the press to persuade the British public to vote for an EU exit. IWGB stands in strong opposition to these views.

With this in mind the IWGB recognises that the EU, like its constituent member states, is organised primarily in the interests of capital, as has been demonstrated by recent events in Greece. IWGB stands in solidarity with Greece and with other countries affected by the current political setup of the EU.

IWGB resolves:

• To combine opposition to British exit from the EU with advocating a Europe reorganised to serve workers’ interests: a democratic Europe promoting workers’ rights and social provision, levelled up across the continent, and with genuine freedom of movement and equal rights for migrants.

For these reasons IWGB believes its members would be worse off in the event of an EU exit and IWGB therefore resolves:

• to publicly state its opposition to an EU exit for the reasons outlined above
• to call for support from other groups on the left who may currently support or be ambivalent to a UK exit from the EU
• to publicly state its belief in the need for EU reform as an alternative to exit
• to publicly state support for and solidarity with the people of Greece and other countries negatively affected by the EU’s economic policies
• to identify and work with other groups that are campaigning to stay in the EU
• to inform and educate members and the general public about the consequences for working people of an EU exit
• to build networks of solidarity and support in the wider community.