, Labour's Deputy Leader
and Shadow Secretary of State for the Future of Work,
responding to the Government's 'fire and rehire' announcement,
said:
"This code isn't worth the paper it's written on. It's shameful
that nearly a year after the P&O Ferries scandal the
Conservatives can only offer this weak half-measure, which they
admit will allow fire and rehire tactics to continue.
"If the Conservatives want to protect workers, they'd finally
bring in the Employment Bill they promised but have abandoned.
Instead, they're bringing in a law to threaten nurses,
firefighters and other key workers with the sack.
"The next Labour government will end fire and rehire, with our
New Deal for Working People, legislating within our first hundred
days in office."
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Government announcement - Gov.uk
- In the Government's consultation on its new Code of Practice
it admits the new code won't end fire and rehire outright:
"Although there have been calls for the practice of dismissal and
re-engagement to be banned outright, the government has judged
that this would not be right as there are some situations in
which dismissal and re-engagement can play a valid role as
businesses may need the flexibility to use this option to save as
many jobs as possible. We believe that this Code strikes the
right balance between labour market flexibility and worker
protections."
