“Significant step forward for equality at work” - Unions & women’s groups hail flagship workers’ rights bill
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Joint statement brings together TUC, EVAW, Equality Trust, Pregnant
Then Screwed, Young Women's Trust, Women's Budget Group and
more. Employment Rights Bill “badly needed” to fix economy
that “isn't working for women”, groups say. Campaigners urge
“politicians of all parties to do the right thing and back the
Bill” as Peers attempt to water down key rights. The TUC and
women's organisations have...Request free trial
The TUC and women's organisations have today (Monday) joined forces to welcome the government's flagship workers' rights bill which they say represents a “significant step forward for gender equality at work”. In a major joint intervention, the TUC, EVAW, Equality Trust, Pregnant Then Screwed, Young Women's Trust, Women's Budget Group, Timewise and other groups say the legislation is “badly needed”. In a timely call, the campaigners urge “politicians of all parties to do the right thing, and back this Bill to deliver these much-needed, long overdue changes”. The Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament, will return to the House of Commons in September for MPs to consider the Lords' amendments – after Peers voted to water down key protections, including by keeping workers on zero hours contracts. The two houses will continue to vote on amendments in a process known as “ping-pong” until a way forward is agreed. Unions and equality campaigners say that the Employment Rights Bill is “badly needed” and warn “our economy isn't working for women”. Highlighting long-lasting factors holding women back, the organisations said: “Our economy isn't working for women. “Too often, women are held back at work because of poor pay, and limited rights. “That's why these reforms are so badly needed for women at work. “As women's organisations, we know these practical, popular reforms will make a real difference to women's lives.” Pointing at the benefits that everyone will derive from the bill, campaigners say: “This is an important opportunity to start correcting gender inequalities which have held back women at work and hampered our economy. “By advancing gender equality and protecting working women, we will build a fairer, more secure labour market for all.” A significant step forward for women If passed in full, the Employment Rights Bill will introduce measures that the campaigners say will level the playing field for working women. These include:
ENDS Notes to editors: - The full statement and list of signatories can be found here:
“A significant step forward
for women's equality at work”: Why We Back the Employment Rights
Bill Sensible and long overdue changes like giving women greater protection from abuse and harassment at work; banning exploitative zero hours contracts; and strengthening family rights, all represent significant progress that can't come fast enough. Our economy isn't working for women. Too often, women are held back at work because of poor pay, and limited rights. One stark example is the gender pay gap, which will take 16 years to close at current rates of progress. Then there is the significant overrepresentation of women in insecure, precarious work. In the care sector – which is rife with zero-hours contracts and low pay – there are four women to every one man. That's why these reforms are so badly needed for women at work. As women's organisations, we know these practical, popular reforms will make a real difference to women's lives. This is an important opportunity to start correcting gender inequalities which have held back women at work and hampered our economy. By advancing gender equality and protecting working women, we will build a fairer, more secure labour market for all. It's vital that politicians of all parties do the right thing, and back this Bill to deliver these much-needed, long overdue changes.
Expanded right to flexible
working Signatories: Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary Kate Bell, TUC Assistant General Secretary Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, Director, Women's Budget Group Claire Reindorp, CEO, Young Women's Trust Andrea Simon, Executive Director, End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) Rachel Grocott, CEO, Pregnant Then Screwed Jo Wittams and Priya Sahni-Nicholas, Co-Executive Directors, Equality Trust Lauren Bolam, Rights of Women Clare McNeil, CEO, Timewise Marie Hemingway, CTO, Speak Out Revolution Dame Heather Rabbatts, Chair, Times Up UK Zelda Perkins, Founder, Can't Buy My Silence UK Lindsay England, Founder, JUST A BALL GAME? |