The UK government is reviewing its application of the Human Rights Act, specifically article eight, which guarantees individuals the right to a family life, as it seeks to address rising numbers of people crossing the Channel in small boats.
The UK’s Human Rights Act: A Review of the Right to Family Life
The UK government is reviewing its application of the Human Rights Act, specifically article eight, which guarantees individuals the right to a family life. This review comes as part of efforts to address rising numbers of people crossing the Channel in small boats.
The Role of Article Eight
Article eight has been at the centre of several high-profile asylum cases, including one involving a Palestinian family who were allowed to remain in the UK despite entering through an irregular means. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, has referred to this as a ‘loophole,’ highlighting concerns about the application of human rights law in relation to immigration.
A Crackdown on Gig Employers
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a crackdown on gig employers, such as takeaways and barber shops, who employ people without the correct visa status. This move is aimed at preventing illegal working and increasing enforcement in the ‘gig economy.’ Cooper stated that the government needs to do more to address this issue, which she believes is not being adequately addressed by current regulations.
The gig economy refers to a labor market characterized by short-term, flexible work arrangements.
This shift towards non-traditional employment has been driven by technological advancements and changing workforce demographics.
According to a report by Intuit, 43% of American workers will be freelancers by 2025.
The gig economy encompasses various industries, including ride-hailing services like Uber, food delivery platforms like GrubHub, and online marketplaces for freelance work such as Upwork.
Preventing Illegal Working
Cooper emphasized the need for employers to take action to prevent illegal working. She proposed a new rule requiring companies in the gig economy to check workers’ visa status, even if they are employed as contractors rather than full employees. This move aims to ensure that employers are taking responsibility for preventing illegal work and to increase enforcement.
Illegal working refers to employment without proper authorization, licenses, or permits.
It can lead to severe consequences for both employers and employees.
Employees may face deportation, fines, and loss of benefits.
Employers risk heavy fines, penalties, and even imprisonment.
Additionally, illegal working can perpetuate exploitation and undermine fair labor practices.
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), an estimated 150 million workers are in informal employment globally, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and enforcement.
International Cooperation
On Monday, Cooper will host an international summit on organised migration crime in London, bringing together representatives from over 40 countries to discuss ways of tackling this issue. The government is seeking to address the root causes of migration and to improve cooperation between countries to prevent migration-related crimes.
International cooperation refers to the collaboration and coordination between countries, organizations, and institutions to achieve common goals and address global challenges.
It involves sharing resources, expertise, and knowledge to promote peace, security, stability, and economic development.
According to a report by the 'United Nations' , international cooperation has led to significant progress in areas such as poverty reduction, human rights, and climate change mitigation.
In 2020, over $1 trillion was invested in global partnerships, demonstrating the growing importance of international cooperation in addressing complex global issues.
The review of article eight and the implementation of new measures aimed at preventing illegal working are part of a broader effort to address the record numbers of people crossing the Channel in small boats. By increasing enforcement and promoting cooperation with other countries, the government hopes to bring down these numbers and make the immigration system more effective.
