PROTESTS will be held today to mark the introduction of controversial new fees for UK workers who want to take their employers to a tribunal.

Unions and employment lawyers have predicted "chaos" at the move – which means employees will have to pay up to £1200 to have cases of unfair dismissal and discrimination heard.

Industrial union Unite and the GMB union spoke out against the new fees, announced by the UK Department of Justice earlier this year.

Ministers argue that tribunals cost the taxpayer more than £84 million a year, with no contribution from those taking claims.

As a result, cases involving unpaid wages and redundancy pay will have an initial fee of £160 and a charge of £230 if it goes to a hearing, while those relating to unfair dismissal, discrimination complaints and equal pay claims will have an issue fee of £250 and a hearing fee of £950.

Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary, said: "What we are seeing is injustice writ large as this worker-bashing Government takes a sledgehammer to workers' rights – this is a throwback to Victorian times.

"Seeking redress for unfair dismissal and discrimination and other injustices in the workplace is a fundamental human right, but now ministers are putting up insurmountable financial hurdles for working people in pursuit of justice."

Mr McCluskey said the union estimated the fees would impact 150,000 workers a year.

Andy Prendergast, of the GMB, which is to hold a protest in London, said the imposition of fees was the latest in a series of attacks on employment rights by the Westminster Government.

"Bad employers are being given the green light to continue exploiting their staff," he said.

"The charging of £1200 effectively means that many workers will lose any chance they had to seek redress if they are poorly treated."And Elizabeth George, a barrister in the employment team at law firm Leigh Day, said the introduction of the fee sent a "very dangerous" message to employers.

"These fees will disproportionately hit those suffering discrimination because of their age, race, disability and gender, with women returning from maternity leave particularly hard hit as they'll be judged on their salary when they left rather than their statutory maternity pay," she added.

However, the introduction of the fees were welcomed by some Scottish lawyers, who said they would lead to fewer frivolous claims.

Kim Pattullo, head of the employment team in Scotland for law firm HBJ Gateley, said the new legislation would result in a welcome fall in the number of tribunals.

"A huge amount of time and effort is currently wasted each year as HR departments across the country deal with what turn out to be groundless tribunal claims," she said.

"The changes should help ensure that legitimate claims are dealt with effectively and in a timely manner."

And Eilidh Wiseman, a partner in the employment team at Dundas & Wilson, added: "I believe anything which helps reduce frivolous claims and speeds up the tribunal system will be welcomed by employers.

"Although fees may act as a deterrent, they should not affect those who are low paid.

"A new system will be introduced for those who cannot afford the fees to have those waived or reduced."

A number of other changes to UK employment law, including rules to reduce formality and speed up the process of employment tribunals, will also be introduced.

Justice minister Jonathan Djanogly said: "It's not fair on the taxpayer to foot the entire £84m bill for people to escalate workplace disputes to a tribunal."