Thread by @IAmMardikins

It's #MayDay everyone... also known As #InternationalWorkersDay and as we edge closer to #Brexit day this has got me thinking about workers rights and how they may fare in the coming #NoJobsBrexit scenario

cc: @FinalSayForAll @GuitarMoog @spaceangel1964 @acgrayling

In particular I'm thinking of women and their rights. Women tend to be the group who suffer most in times of tribulation and #Brexit will be no different.

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

I'm thinking about the brave women who fought so hard for equal pay and conditions and what they must think of the fact that we are heading towards a situation where these hard won rights will be sacrificed on the altar of trade deals and #Brexit

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

They'd probably be pretty disgusted. I have also been thinking of Theresa May and her "red lines". The women who went on strike and fought tooth and nail had clear, red lines - except these were strengthened by the fact that they were on the right side of history.

The equal pay act wasn't passed until 1970. That's really not that long ago. These women literally moved mountains

And now we are regressing.

We now know #Brexit will not yield any golden unicorns. In fact it's becoming increasingly clear it is an act of self-harm. It's not only that the country will become poorer, it's that we as individuals will become less protected.

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

And what of maternity rights? Legislative protection for pregnant women wasn't brought in until 1975 through the Employment Protection Act. However, pregnant women still face discrimination despite legislation. It's just more subtle than before.

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

Pregnant employees have 4 basic rights:

✔ Paid time off for ante-natal care
✔ Maternity leave
✔ Maternity pay/allowance
✔ Protection against unfair treatment/dismissal

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

How long will those rights last once the safeguard that is the EU is removed?

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

Bear in mind UK already has TERRIBLE maternity pay. Apparently in a European league table of 24 countries UK came in at number 22...

Add to that low child benefits and extortionate child care costs and the UK paints a picture of a very difficult place for mothers: low pay, high costs, and discrimination.

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

I remember working at a university and a new employee started. She was visibly pregnant. She won't have been showing at the time of her interview but she was visibly pregnant by her start date.

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

The boss stormed off to HR and demand she be sacked. Luckily they put the boss straight (who was a woman btw). How shocking is that? Now imagine how that would go down post #Brexit

One woman I know went into labour 2 months early and felt pressured into work going in 2 days after giving birth and worked for a couple of days as they hadn't yet found a replacement

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

Women are already being discriminated. #Brexit will make it worse.

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

SMEs already struggle with coping when employees go off on maternity. What do you think will happen post #Brexit? Who will they employ? A woman of childbearing age or a man?

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

We all know about Theresa Mays red lines. I think it's time for all of us to consider our own red lines. What are we prepared to accept? What are we willing to fight for?

#MayDay #NoJobsBrexit

Because from where I'm sat we need to start fighting for our red lines now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today.

#NoJobsBrexit #MayDay

I have written this thread to highlight some of the issues we may all face post #Brexit for the @finalsayforall foundation. Please visit their website and if you can help out with a small donation. finalsayforall.eu