Unions Welcome Government's Plans To Strengthen Workers' Rights
Deputy prime minister and house secretary Angela Rayner has unveiled a raft of workplace reforms which have been warmly received by unions. (Alamy)
3 min read
Trade unions have welcomed a new raft of employment reforms as the Government moves to bolster workers rights.
The reforms, which include heavily restricting the usage of zero hours contracts and making flexible working arrangements the default "where practical", have been seen as a significant victory for workers by trade union bodies.
Paul Nowak, general secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), described the Employment Rights Bill as a "positive and ambitious plan to make work pay".
“Today’s Bill is a crucial first step towards delivering better-quality employment in every part of the UK," said Nowak.
“Whether it's tackling the scourge of zero-hours contracts and fire and rehire, improving access to sick pay and parental leave or clamping down on exploitative bosses – this Bill signals Labour's commitment to upgrade rights and protections for millions.
“Crucially, the Employment Rights Bill will give workers a stronger voice at work by making it easier for them to benefit from union representation. And it will consign to history the Tories’ toxic anti-union laws that increased industrial tensions and worsened disputes.”
GMB general secretary Gary Smith said the new bill was "a significant and groundbreaking first step to giving workers the rights they've been denied for so long".
"Fourteen years of Conservative rule has seen squeezed pay packets and attacks on working people and their unions; this bill is hugely welcome," said Smith.
"Fair Pay Agreements for carers, reinstating the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, repealing anti-union legislation and a raft of other rights for workers will make a huge difference to the lives of GMB members and are popular across the country.
"But there is long way to go. The Government won a huge mandate for the New Deal, now they must make sure unions and workers are front and centre of the detailed discussions needed to deliver it.
"The legislation must be watertight and without loopholes that could be used by those wanting to delay the rights workers so desperately need.”
Ahead of the bill's introduction on Thursday, unions had been feeling optimistic about the package of rights planned by the Government, in contrast to business organisations who had expressed apprehension above the proposals.
Ahead of the plans being unveiled, various union officials told PoliticsHome they have seen a sharp uptick in engagement and attention from central government since Labour won the General Election in July, despite some of the plans initially proposed by Labour being watered down.
Also among the new package of protections for workers is a universal entitlement to sick pay from the first day of illness, and ending fire and rehire except in the most extreme circumstances.
Other reforms committed to include setting up the "Fair Work Agency" which will enforce rights such as entitlements to holiday pay, and changes to ensure the Low Pay Commission takes the cost of living into account when setting the minimum wage.
Deputy Prime Minsiter Angela Rayner said the legislation represented "the biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation".
"We’re turning the page on an economy riven with insecurity, ravaged by dire productivity and blighted by low pay," said Rayner.
"The UK’s out-of-date employment laws are holding our country back and failing business and workers alike.
"Our plans to make work pay will deliver security in work as the foundation for boosting productivity and growing our economy to make working people better off and realise our potential.
"Too many people are drawn into a race to the bottom, denied the security they need to raise a family while businesses are unable to retain the workers they need to grow.
"We’re raising the floor on rights at work to deliver a stronger, fairer and brighter Future of Work for Britain."
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