HIGH profile speakers are lined up for a conference on the future of employment law.

John Monks, general secretary of the TUC, Ian McCartney, minister of state at the Trade Department, and John Edmonds, general secretary of Britain's general union the GMB, will all be speaking at the event at Christ's Hospital School, Horsham, on April 14.

The conference has been organised to help local businesses understand the impact of the Fairness At Work legislation due to go before Parliament.

An employment law specialist will also be on hand.

The idea is to give business leaders a chance to question top figures on one of the Government's key social policies which will have a major impact on the business community.

Richard Bianco, executive director of Sussex Enterprise subsidiary Business Link Sussex, said: "There are several major pieces of regulation and legislation which will have a big impact on all companies and particularly affect small businesses.

"These include the minimum wage, the Working Time Directive and Fairness At Work. Much of the debate about the latter has focused on its effects on large national employers. However, there are implications for companies large and small, unionised or non-unionised.

"This event is an excellent opportunity for our businesses to get an understanding of Fairness At Work issues direct from its leading proponents. The chance to put questions to such a senior panel, and help them to understand the issues facing local companies, doesn't come along very often."

The conference is sponsored by the GMB and will feature an opportunity for delegates to quiz speakers one-to-one at a buffet reception.

To register contact Business Link Sussex on 01444 259218.

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