Labour has challenged the Government to categorically rule out
specific proposals being considered which would amount to taking
a "wrecking ball" to workers' rights, and has vowed to fight
"tooth and nail" against the proposals if Ministers pursue them.
Ministers are drawing up proposals that could mean longer working
weeks and people losing out on paid holidays, in a wide scale
ripping up of workers’ rights regulation, it has been reported by
the Financial Times.
While the Business Secretary denied that the Government would lower workers’
rights, he did not deny the actual authenticity of the report nor
any specific proposal on the table. In a letter to the Business
Secretary, Labour has challenged him to stop talking in
generalities and rule out these specific proposals.
Despite repeated, if vague, assurances from Ministers over the
past year that they have no plans to diminish workers’ rights, it
has now been leaked that the Business Secretary will consult on
planned changes which could mean:
- A longer working week, with no legal cap on the number of
hours employers can make their employees work
- Workers losing out on holiday pay and entitlement
- An end to the legal right to rest breaks at work
The scrapping of the 48-hour working week cap could seriously
risk the safety of key workers including hauliers and delivery
drivers, for example, who are currently have the right not to
work more than 48 hours guaranteed. It could also mean NHS staff
feel pressured to work excessive hours.
The news demonstrates once again that the Government’s priorities
are not aligned with those of the British people, and follows
their plan to cut the Universal Credit uplift and Working Tax
Credits which will see 6 million families lose over £1,000 a
year; and the disgraceful free school meal parcels given to
families this week based on the Government's own guidance.
With the UK having had the worst recession of major economies,
Labour believes strongly that the Government’s priority should be
protecting jobs and family incomes, securing our economy and
rebuilding the country – not cutting workers’ rights.
MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary
said:
"Ministers have promised time and again they will not row back on
workers’ rights but their mask has slipped. Crucially while the
Government speaks in platitudes, there has been no real denial
that the specific proposals reported are on the table.
"These proposals to rip up workers' rights should not even be up
for discussion, and Labour will fight tooth and nail against them
if Ministers pursue this course of action.
“The pandemic has imposed huge hardship on workers and families
in our country. As we emerge from this emergency, we cannot go
back to business as usual. We owe it to them to build a better,
and more secure future for Britain. The way to do that is not to
take a wrecking ball to their hard-won rights, but to build on
them."
Ends
Notes to Editors
Full text of letter:
Dear Kwasi,
Workers’ rights regulation
A report in today’s Financial Times states that the government
plans to “rip up” worker protections, including the 48-hour week,
as part of an overhaul of UK labour markets. It has been reported
that the package of measures is being put together by your
department.
Ministers have repeatedly promised that there would be no
dismantling of workers’ rights after leaving the EU and Labour
will hold them to that promise. We note your response to the
piece on social media on 14 January, in which you reiterate this
promise and say the Government is “not going to lower the
standard of workers’ rights” and further "We want to protect and
enhance workers’ rights going forward, not row back on them".
In that case, it should be straightforward for you to ease the
anxiety that many workers will be feeling as they read about your
plans and specifically rule out the proposals to erode workers'
rights on which the FT says your department plans to consult.
We would therefore appreciate your response to the specific
questions below to provide reassurance to workers and their
families across the country.
- Will you rule out "rowing back" on the 48-hour weekly working
limit which keeps workers and citizens safe in key professions?
- Will you rule out "rowing back" on the inclusion of voluntary
overtime in holiday pay entitlement?
- Will you rule out "rowing back" on other changes which might
undermine rights to holiday pay?
- Will you rule out "rowing back" on any changes to legal
rights to breaks at work?
- Will you confirm whether there will be a consultation on
changes to any workers’ rights derived from the Working Time
Directive; and if so when this consultation will be
published?
Businesses and workers across the country have faced one of the
most difficult periods of their life. Many businesses are still
deeply anxious about surviving the crisis and many workers are
struggling to make ends meet and worried about their health too.
Stripping back workers' rights would reduce living standards and
damage our economy.
We hope you agree that the Government’s priorities must be
focused on rolling out the vaccine, securing the economy,
protecting jobs and livelihoods, and supporting the safety of
workers – not taking a wrecking ball to workers' rights.
Given the worry this will cause people across the country, we
request an urgent response.
Yours sincerely,
MP, Shadow Business Secretary
, Shadow Employment Rights Secretary
