Unions, lawyers, and rights groups slam Tory ministers’ decision to reintroduce tribunal fees
CanaryMAR 7 2024
The UK's Labor government has unveiled its new Employment Rights Bill, including day-one-of-employment protections surrounding wages, firing and rehiring policies, paid leave, and cost of living.The UK's Labour government has unveiled 28 reforms under its new Employment Rights Bill, including day-one-of-employment protections surrounding wages, firing and rehiring policies, and paid leave.
If implemented, which could take two years, the law would protect 9M workers from unfair firing; add 30K fathers or partners to paid parental leave and 1.5M to unpaid leave; and weekly sick pay of £116.75 ($153) for up to 28 weeks for those making at least £123 a week.If implemented, which could take two years, the law would protect 9M workers from unfair firing; add 30K fathers to paternity leave and 1.5M to parental leave; and give qualifying employees immediate access to sick pay.
It would ban zero-hours contracts, with employees allowed to opt into minimum-hours contracts or not; require bosses to allow flexible work schedules; and ban firing and rehiring, which it claims is a "loophole" to replace workers or rehire them on reduced conditions.It would also ban zero-hours contracts, with employees allowed to opt into minimum-hours contracts or not; require bosses to allow flexible work schedules; and ban firing and rehiring, which it claims is a "loophole" to replace workers or rehire them on reduced conditions.
This bill is a tremendous attempt at protecting workers while also keeping businesses afloat. While the Labour Party is rightfully seeking to end exploitative contracts and unfair termination, it's also being pragmatic by allowing a consultation period to play out before enforcing wage- and hour-related policies. Any employment law must take into account both workers and small businesses.
Starmer's Labour government has no idea how its policy proposals would impact real-world business owners. In the middle of his economic summit this week, Transportation Secretary Louise Haigh was caught berating a ferry company, resulting in the company pulling out of a billion-dollar investmen deal. Bullying businesses for disagreeing with labor contract laws will not make the economy stronger.