- Employment Rights Bill returns to the Commons, marking
another step towards transformation of workers' rights
- Legislation will establish day one rights to parental leave,
end exploitative zero-hours contracts and strengthen statutory
sick pay
- Reforms will put more money in people's pockets and improve
living standards, delivering on the government's Plan for
Change
Workers across the country will come one step closer to the
biggest single upgrade of employment rights in a generation as
the Employment Rights Bill returns to the House of Commons
today.
The government will overturn amendments tabled by the Lords which
would have weakened the Bill, including watering down the day one
protection from unfair dismissal and limiting those able to
benefit from the ban on exploitative zero hours contracts.
Fifteen million people, half of all workers, are set to benefit
from the Bill, which will establish day one rights to parental
and bereavement leave, include sick pay for up to 1.3 million of
the lowest earners, and end unscrupulous fire and rehire
practices.
These reforms will put an end to insecure work, unfair pay and
poor working conditions, putting more money in people's pockets
and improving living standards.
Strong workers' rights go hand in hand with a strong economy, and
this landmark Bill will extend the employment protections already
given by the best British companies, creating the right
conditions for long-term sustainable growth.
Prime Minister said:
“This Government is delivering the biggest upgrade to workers'
rights in a generation.
“Our Employment Rights Bill is good for workers, good for
businesses and good for the economy.
“It's a core part of our agenda to make people better off and
will make a real difference to people's lives.”
Business and Trade Secretary said:
“We are relentlessly focused on making people feel better off and
putting more money into their pockets. Giving workers more
security in the workplace is good for the economy. It promotes
prosperity, enabling people to be more active consumers and
exercise more control over their lives.
“Businesses have been consulted every step of the way and will
continue to be. We are focused on building an economy with a new
social partnership - workers, businesses and government fixing
the foundations and that starts with security at work.”
The Bill's return to the Commons follows extensive engagement
with business and trade unions to ensure that the legislation is
firmly pro-business and pro-worker, and that businesses have the
certainty they need to plan for the future. This will
continue as the Bill progresses through Parliament.
