The Scottish Government are to consider scrapping the controversial employment tribunal fees stating that the fees serve only as a “restriction to justice”.
If powers are transferred to the Scottish Government then, the fees could be scrapped altogether. Currently, the UK Government is investigating the employment tribunal process after the fees were introduced in July 2013. Under UK law, applicants must pay £160 to lodge even a basic claim, and a further £230 for a hearing.
This is even more expensive with more complex cases with such claims costing £250 to lodge a claim and £950 for a hearing.
The employment tribunal fees have been called to be abolished from certain groups including Citizens Advice Scotland and other justice bodies. A Scottish Government spokesperson said that by scrapping such fees it would create a fairer workplace.
The spokesperson said: “We will create a fairer country. We will promote a proper living wage, fair work and use new powers to improve the welfare system, mitigating some of the worst impacts of the UK Government’s cuts.”
Figures from the TUC showed that since the introduction of the fees had resulted in a significant decline in the number of employment tribunals seen in the UK. According to the numbers from the TUC employment tribunals fell by 79%.
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