Unions warn government not to water down workers' rights bill

Unions warn government not to water down workers' rights bill

The UK’s largest trade union is expressing concerns over potential changes to the Employment Rights Bill by the government. Unison general secretary Christina McAnea has stated that altering the bill, which is set to become law soon, would be a significant mistake. McAnea’s worries stem from the recent departure of Angela Rayner and the reshuffling of the cabinet, leading to doubts about the government’s dedication to fully implementing the legislation.

The Employment Rights Bill represents a substantial overhaul of workers’ rights, including protections against unfair dismissal and a prohibition on exploitative zero-hours contracts. High-ranking officials from various unions have also voiced apprehensions about the bill being diluted. At a recent Trades Union Congress event in Brighton, concerns were raised about the bill losing momentum following key personnel changes within the government.

McAnea emphasized the importance of the Employment Rights Bill, labeling it as a rare chance for the government to slightly shift the balance in favor of working individuals. She stressed that any attempts to weaken the bill would be vigorously opposed by unions. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) echoed these sentiments, urging the government to remain steadfast in delivering the bill in its entirety to benefit millions of workers across the country.

The USDAW union, representing over 300,000 workers, particularly those in supermarkets, factories, and warehouses, is troubled by a potential amendment to the bill introduced by the House of Lords. This amendment could downgrade employees’ rights by altering guaranteed hours to a mere right to request such hours. Additionally, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) sees the recent government changes as an opportunity to address concerns with the Employment Rights Bill. FSB’s director of policy, Craig Beaumont, highlighted that many employers are overwhelmed by the upcoming changes and view this as a chance to rectify any issues

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