New Government will enhance workers’ rights

The Labour Party has won the UK General Election, so it’s worth reviewing the promises they’ve made on employment rights, particularly as the reported aim is to start introducing related draft legislation within 100 days of winning the election.

Here’s a summary of the main points of their green paper ‘New Deal for Working People’. There are lots of improvements proposed for all workers. Further blogs to follow on Monaco Solicitors’ website when we find out more.

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The green paper ‘New Deal for Working People’, wants to revamp employment rights so as to better support workers across the country. It outlines a series of important measures designed to enhance job security, improve pay and working conditions, and empower workers in their relationships with employers.

Strengthening workers’ rights

At its heart, the green paper promotes a significant strengthening of workers’ rights. A new Ministry for Employment Rights is proposed, tasked with overseeing and enforcing these rights. The ministry would play a pivotal role in ensuring fair treatment for workers, tackling issues such as unfair dismissals, unlawful wage deductions, and workplace discrimination.

Single status of ‘worker’

A single employment status of ‘worker’ (rather than the present employee/worker divide) is mooted, for all but the genuinely self-employed:

‘All workers, regardless of sector, wage, or contract type, will be afforded the same basic rights and protections. This includes rights to sick pay, holiday pay, parental leave, protection against unfair dismissal and many others.’

Scrapping qualifying time for unfair dismissal and other basic rights

Another of the key areas is enhancing job security. The green paper proposes to strengthen protections against violations by employers of basic rights such as unfair dismissal, by giving workers those rights from day one of their employment:

‘The current arbitrary system leaves workers waiting up to two years to access some basic rights, including protection against some types of unfair dismissal. Labour will end this arbitrary system and scrap qualifying time for basic rights, such as unfair dismissal, sick pay, and parental leave.’

 

Introduction of a ‘Real Living Wage’

Another critical aspect of the green paper is its emphasis on fair pay. It calls for measures to promote fair wages, including the introduction of a Real Living Wage, which is intended to provide workers with a wage that meets the basic cost of living.

This wage would be calculated based on local living costs, aiming to prevent situations where workers are unable to make ends meet despite being employed.

 

Gig economy workers’ rights enhanced

The green paper also addresses the challenges faced by workers in the gig economy. It proposes to extend traditional employment rights to gig workers, who often find themselves in precarious positions without the protections enjoyed by regular employees.

This includes rights to minimum wage, holiday pay, and sick pay, ensuring that all workers, regardless of their employment status, are treated fairly and equitably.

 

Stronger collective bargaining rights

Greater empowerment of workers through strengthened collective bargaining rights is planned, with proposals to make it easier for workers to join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining to negotiate better pay and conditions.

This is seen as an important step towards rebalancing power dynamics in the workplace and ensuring that workers have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect them.

 

Discrimination protections

Addressing workplace discrimination is also a priority. Steps are outlined to strengthen protections against discrimination based on gender, race, age, disability, sex and other protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

This includes steps to tackle pay gaps and ensure that all workers have equal opportunities for career progression and development.

 

Streamlining processes for dispute resolution

In addition to these substantive reforms, the green paper also considers procedural changes aimed at improving access to justice for workers.

It proposes to simplify and streamline the process for resolving workplace disputes, ensuring that workers have access to timely and effective remedies when their rights are violated.

What next?

Watch this blog space from Monaco Solicitors, specialist employment law solicitors, for further updates. The reforms proposed are likely to have significant impacts on employment rights for all workers!

If you have a current problem relating to any employment law matter, get in touch with Monaco Solicitors if you’d like friendly and professional advice from an experienced team of specialist employment lawyers.

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