---

Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department is providing to members of the Territorial Army and Reserves who have lost their employment after being called up for Operation Telic; and how many such cases have been notified to his Department. [115322] Dr. Moonie: All Reservists benefit from employment protection under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985. Under the Act, an employer has an obligation to reinstate a Reservist his former job following demobilisation. If this is not reasonable or practicable, the Reservist must be reinstated on the most favourable terms of service available. The Reservists' call-out pack includes information which reservists are required to give to their employer. This sets out the employers' statutory obligations under the Act. Reservists also receive information about their rights under the Act with their call-out notice. Furthermore, during the process of demobilisation, they are given further advice regarding how to apply for reinstatement. To date, we are not aware of any Reservists who have been demobilised from Operation TELIC failing to be reinstated. Nor have there been any approaches to the Reinstatement Committees that are set up to rule on disputes between employers and returning reservists. We are aware of four Reservists who have lost their jobs while mobilised; however, in all these cases the employers are aware of their legal obligations and have given undertakings to discharge these.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

115322; 406 c297W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Armed forces Armed conflict Employment Iraq Reserve forces Territorial Army Iraq conflict

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk