The following details have been supplied by the TUC:

Conservative c onference commitments from prime minister Theresa May and Brexit secretary David Davis to protect and improve employment rights are welcome – but must be translated into action, the TUC has said. 

David Davis told last week’s Tory conference: “To those who are trying to frighten British workers, saying ‘When we leave, employment rights will be eroded’, I say firmly and unequivocally ‘no they won’t’. Britain already goes beyond EU law in many areas – and we give this guarantee: this Conservative government will not roll back those rights in the workplace.” 

In her keynote speech, prime minister Theresa May said “let me be absolutely clear: existing workers’ legal rights will continue to be guaranteed in law – and they will be guaranteed as long as I am prime minister.” She added that “under this government, we’re going see workers’ rights not eroded, and not just protected, but enhanced under this government.” 

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady commented: “We welcome Theresa May’s commitment to guarantee workers’ rights for as long as she is prime minister. But we need stronger protection that can span across future governments. We need May’s government to ensure that any future trade deal between the UK and EU includes a commitment not to fall behind the EU on improvements to employment rights.” 

The TUC leader said: “The prime minister must follow her words on improving workers’ rights with action. Britain’s job market has proved to be a magnet for the wrong kind of bosses. There must be tougher rules to stop them using zero hours contracts to keep the whip hand over workers, and to undercut decent employers. And the hefty employment tribunal fees that are pricing hard working people out of justice must be scrapped.” O’Grady added: “The prime minister must listen to Britain’s trade unions who represent millions of workers at the hard end of an unfair labour market. The TUC stands ready to work with the government to give working people the new rights they need for fairness and security at work.” 

The majority of the UK’s workplace safety laws originated in Europe, with the TUC having raised concerns that post-Brexit trade deals could reflect demands from the business lobby and overlook crucial employment and safety protections.