Victory for Tesco workers in equal pay dispute

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. On Thursday, the European Court of Justice ruled that EU law can be relied upon to make equal pay claims against an employer in the UK. The judges said: “The principle, laid down by EU law, of equal pay for male and female workers can be relied upon directly, in respect both of ‘equal work’ and of ‘work of equal value’, in proceedings between individuals.” This decision binds the UK government, despite the country’s exit from the EU, and cannot be appealed. We continue to strongly defend these claims” Kiran Dauka, a partner at Leigh Day, said: “For a long time, employers have argued that UK law in this area is unclear, but this judgment is simple: if there is a single body responsible for ensuring equality, the roles are comparable.” The law firm has previously said that workers affected by the pay dispute could be entitled to up to six years of back pay compensation, of at least £10,000 each. Next steps in the equal pay dispute include comparing the roles at UK Employment Tribunals, and investigations into whether the roles are of “equal value” and reasons for differences in pay.