Government announces changes to workers' rights

The proposed changes represent a significant overhaul of the UK's employment laws, with the government arguing that “Britain’s outdated employment laws are not fit for the modern economy,” and need to be reformed in partnership between businesses and trade unions. The programme is being led by Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, with significant involvement from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and  this is regarded as being part of Labour’s “growth” mission. 

Labour’s manifesto committed to legislate to introduce the changes within 100 days of the election, ie, by mid October. The King’s Speech of 17 July introduced an Employment Rights Bill to ban the ‘exploitative’ use of zero-hour contracts and introduce new workers’ rights mentioned below.  

Labour politicians and trade unions have highlighted several sectors and job types in their discussions about the need for employment law reform, including gig economy workers, people working in retail, young workers and apprentices, and part-time and temporary workers. Logistics workers, particularly warehouses roles and self-employed driving roles, have been highlighted by Unite, GMB and the TUC as in need of greater workplace protections.  

The government’s plan comprises of four priorities: 

• Decent work: end in-work poverty, genuine living wage, use of public procurement to support good work, establish a Fair Pay Agreement in adult social care. 
• Secure work: strengthen rights and protections (basic rights from day one to parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal), ban ‘exploitative’ zero hours contracts, end fire and rehire, bring about stronger family-friendly rights, make flexible working a day-one right. 
• Safe work: introduce a ‘right to switch off’ and work autonomously, update trade union legislation, strengthen law to enforce workplace rights, put mental health on par with physical health. 
• Fair work: tackle workplace harassment, give greater protections to those with caring responsibilities, go further and faster in closing gender pay gap, strengthen protections for working mothers. 

Logistics UK is asking the government to consult with businesses on plans for the New Deal for Working People, to ensure the reforms achieve the government’s aims to improve employment rights, while retaining flexibility and avoiding pushing up costs across the economy. 

For more information about the government’s plans, please visit:    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/business-leaders-and-unions-to-work-hand-in-hand-to-deliver-new-plans-to-make-work-pay  

Published On: 12/09/2024 15:00:00

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