MPs urged to back employment rights bill for fairer work and better pay

A new bill has been introduced in parliament, aiming to ‘make work pay’ and jobs more secure for millions of workers across the UK.

Trade unions and organisations are calling on MPs from all parties to unanimously support the employment rights bill, which they say will help grow the economy, protect workers and create a fairer, more productive society.

End low pay and insecure work

Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the bill's second reading in parliament.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said:

“Today we welcome the first parliamentary debate on historic legislation that will help bring to an end years of low-paid, insecure employment, which failed our economy, businesses and working people.”

According to Usdaw, the employment rights bill will:

• boost economic growth by improving workers’ productivity
• stop rogue employers from undercutting those who treat staff properly
• give workers security, respect, and a liveable income

Lillis urged MPs to demonstrate they have "heard the voters' verdict" on the Conservatives' 14 years of failure and to vote for the bill at second reading. He said Usdaw will stay in touch with the government as the bill moves forward to make sure it delivers the "much-needed change" workers need.

An opportunity to make work pay

TUC eneral Secretary Paul Nowak called for MPs from all parties to support the bill and "be on the right side of history."

He added:

"It's time to turn the page on the low-pay, low-rights and low-productivity economy of the last 14 years, driving up employment standards is good for workers and good for business."

TUC estimates that if the government's ‘make work pay’ plan is delivered in full:

• over 7 million workers will be eligible for sick pay from their first day of illness
• over 8 million will be protected from unfair dismissal from day one
• 1 million on zero-hours contracts will have the right to a contract showing their usual hours

Employers back plans for fairer work

Most small, medium and large employers think the government's employment rights plans will benefit their business, polling has revealed.

Managers are  largely optimistic about several proposals, including:

• rights from day one against unfair dismissal as well as parental leave protection
• sick pay from the first day of illness
• banning zero-hours contracts
• raising the minimum wage to reflect living costs
• making it easier for unions to bargain and be recognised