Labour’s trade union backers have urged Keir Starmer to see off the “naysayers” moaning about workers rights’ reforms.
In a rare joint appeal, the party’s 11 affiliated unions, including Unite, Unison and the GMB, said the “country voted for change they can see and feel – and put their trust in Labour to make it happen”. The influential group urged the Government to “double down” on delivering for voters with “fair economic growth built on good, secure jobs and decent wages”.
They said: “Now is the time to face down the naysayers, see these essential commitments through, and ensure that the measures in the Employment Rights Bill will work in practice to deliver the change so urgently needed.” The intervention comes amid growing pressure from businesses to water down the sweeping changes promised in Labour’s Employment Right Bill.
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Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror)
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Jonathan Buckmaster)
The package includes a ban on exploitative zero hours contracts, day one sick pay and new rights to parental leave and flexible working. Union leaders are urging the Government to fight back against critics of the policies, which have widespread support from voters, including Tory and Reform backers.
A megapoll of more than 21,000 people for the TUC found more than 7 in 10 (72%) back a ban on zero hours contracts – including 2 in 3 Reform (65%) and Conservative (63%) voters. Some 3 in 4 (74%) supported statutory sick pay from day one – including 2 in 3 Reform (64%) and Conservative (62%) voters.
However the plans have been in the firing line from businesses, who argue it will force them to lay off staff and risks blocking economic growth. In a message to critics, union leaders said: “These measures are not a block on growth – they are how the UK gets the growth it needs.
“Even modest improvements as a result of the Bill would net the economy more than £13billion a year.” The backlash from business and right-wingers against the plans is “as predictable as it is tired”, they said, pointing to the criticism of the introduction of the minimum wage, which is now widely accepted.
The group said: “This is not some kind of business vs workers show-down. That is a false narrative peddled by those with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Better employment standards, improved worker well-being and a secure labour market is good for employees, good for employers and good for the economy.”
They added: “The stakes are high, and voters’ expectations are higher still. No Government is perfect, and this one hasn’t got everything right, but now is the time to double down on delivering the change people voted for – fair economic growth built on good, secure jobs and decent wages.”
A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: “Our plan to Make Work Pay is a crucial part of our mission to go further and faster on delivering economic growth so working people feel the benefits by boosting their pay and raising living standards across the country.
“This pro-business, pro-worker Government has already engaged extensively with businesses and unions and an initial package of formal consultations closed in early December. We look forward to more discussions in the coming months to ensure the Bill works for workers and employers alike.”