Ilkley MP condemns practice of blacklisting (From Ilkley Gazette)

Ilkley MP condemns practice of blacklisting

8:00am Sunday 3rd February 2013 in Local news

Ilkley and Keighley Conservative MP Kris Hopkins has condemned employers involved in the practice of blacklisting workers.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Hopkins (left) said that he believed the issue had been only brought forward for debate by the Labour Party at the behest of the trade unions.

He said: “I have been contacted by several constituents regarding the practice of blacklisting and welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate.

“I condemn those companies and individuals who have carried out such practices and note that the law now protects employees from blacklisting.

“Individuals can bring civil cases and take their case to employment tribunals if they suspect that they have been denied employment or that they have been unfairly dismissed as a result of illegal blacklisting.”

Mr Hopkins said he believed it was important to have confidence in the role played by the Information Commissioner’s Office, that it has the laws available to pursue individuals and companies who are breaking the law.

Mr Hopkins said: “I am also pleased that we have a maximum penalty of £500,000, which is an important deterrent to individuals who may carry out such practices.”

But he pointed out that since an Information Commissioner’s investigation into blacklisting and the introduction of new regulations in March 2010, no further evidence had been presented to Business Secretary Vince Cable by Labour MPs to show that the practice was still going on.