The government is to introduce new rules making it illegal for members of trades unions to be denied employment through blacklists.
Lord Young, the Employment Relations Minister, said: “Blacklisting someone because they are a member of a trade union is totally unacceptable.
“There is already legal protection against the misuse of people’s personal details. We will now strengthen the law by introducing new regulations to outlaw the compilation, dissemination and use of blacklists.”
Under the regulations, it will be unlawful for organisations to refuse employment or sack individuals as a result of appearing on a blacklist, and it will be unlawful for employment agencies to refuse to provide a service on the basis of appearing on a blacklist.
Once Parliament gives its approval, the regulations could be in force by early next year.
