Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has proposed a new plan which would create a considerable repositioning of employment and trade union laws should he become the UK’s next Prime Minister.
The plans are said to “put power in the hands of workers”, not the “born-to-rule establishment”.
Ministry of Employment Rights
The plan includes the formation of a Ministry of Employment Rights, along with a Workers’ Protection Agency (embedded in the ministry), which would provide enhanced employment rights, standards and protections for workers.
The proposal includes the following:
Individual employment rights
- A new statutory wage of £10 an hour by 2020 for any worker aged 16 years old or more.
- Introducing a new civil enforcement system to ensure that businesses comply with gender pay obligations.
- Having a single category of ‘worker’ which would be everyone who is not genuinely self-employed to remove the current differences between employees and workers.
- Requiring employers to pay agency workers the same as permanent members of staff.
- Forcing businesses to give all workers a contract that specifies accurately their working hours, meaning no more zero hour contracts.
- Agency workers would be able to request flexible working arrangements.
- Banning unpaid internships.
Collective worker rights
- Providing employees with an easier method of having their say at work regarding any issues. This would also include implementing electronic and workplace ballots.
- Giving more rights to trade unions, such as the right to enter a workplace to meet with and represent their members.
- Revoking the Trade Union Act 2016 which currently places restrictions on trade unions and their ability to advise their members against their employer.
Announcing the plan at the TUC Congress in Brighton, Jeremy Corbyn, said:
“We have witnessed a deliberate, decades-long transfer of power away from working people. The consequences are stark for all workers, whether members of a trade union or not. Pay is lower than it was a decade ago in real terms.”
The Labour leader added that a lot of businesses were not complying with the current laws in place and were falling short in paying their workers the minimum wage. He added:
“We will put a stop to that. We will create a workers’ protection agency with real teeth, including the power to enter workplaces and bring prosecutions on workers’ behalf…”
Comment
Given that a general election this year is highly likely, Jeremy Corbyn’s plans should be read and considered by all employers as the impact and reach of these plans would be extremely significant.
Significant changes could be on the horizon for employers and their employees as a result of either Brexit and/or a Labour (or Labour-led coalition) Government taking power. Watch this space!
How Nelsons can help
Laura Kearsley is a Partner in our expert Employment Law team.
For further information or to comment on this article, please contact Laura or another member of the team in Derby, Leicester or Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.