Angela Rayner today insisted that her plan to implement ‘the biggest upgrade in workers rights in a generation’ will boost the economy, amid fears it will hammer businesses.
The Deputy Prime Minister insisted that the Employment Rights Bill would trigger a boom in spending because millions of people would have the security to ‘get on in life’.
Ms Rayner is facing business backlash to her bill over fears firms will be hit with major new costs at a time when the economy is staggering.
Amendments are being tabled to the legislation today that water down some of the original provisions, including axing the ‘right to switch off’ that would allow workers to ignore emails, texts and call our of work hours.
It will also bring in a nine-month probation period for new workers, rather than the six months previously announced.
It will also expand a ban on zero-hours contracts that are deemed ‘exploitative’ to include agency workers.
Ms Rayner told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that ‘insecure work and low pay has left our economy in a really difficult position’.
‘When they have that (pay and security) they can spend that in their local economy and they can get on in life,’ she added.
The Deputy Prime Minister insisted that the Employment Rights Bill would trigger a boom in spending because millions of people would have the security to ‘get on in life’.
The decision is said to have been taken by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Chancellor Rachel Reeves over concerns the provision would have been too much of a burden.
‘At the moment far too many workers don’t know what pay they are going to be getting, have far too month left at the end of their paycheck.
‘They cannot get a mortgage, they cannot secure their hours and that is what we are going to change.’
But Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, said: ‘No government serious about growth would be giving this flawed bill the light of day, let alone rushing it through Parliament.
‘Despite months of businesses warning of job losses, price hikes and shuttering up shop, the amendments the government have introduced make the Employment Bill worse not better for businesses and employees.’
The proposal to grant workers a ‘right to switch off’ was originally included in Labour’s ‘new deal for working people’.
Similar proposals have been implemented in countries such as Belgium, Ireland, and France – which allow workers to avoid emails, texts and phone calls received out of hours without fear of reprisals.
Supporters say the right would help Brits avoid their homes becoming ’24/7 offices’, after the pandemic drove a surge in remote working.
The decision is said to have been taken by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Chancellor Rachel Reeves over concerns the provision would have been too much of a burden.
The rights overhaul was rebranded as ‘Labour’s plan to make work pay’ in May, with a blanket commitment to ending zero-hours contracts downgraded to ending those which are ‘exploitative’.
Under amendments announced by Mr Reynolds today that right would also be extended to agency workers, to prevent them being used as a way around the legislation.
The mandate for industrial action – the period in which workers can strike after voting to walk out – is also to be increased from six to 12 months.
Would-be parents who suffer a miscarriage before 24 weeks are also expected to be given the right to bereavement leave, the Guardian reported.
In a written statement to MPs, Mr Reynolds said: ‘The Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay is a core part of our mission to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all.
‘It will tackle the low pay, poor working conditions and poor job security that has been holding our economy back.’
