Workers Party Northern Ireland Region Calls for Stronger Employment Rights in the Employment Rights Bill

Strategic Insights -

The Employment Rights Bill is returning to the commons, and senior government figures have pledged not to water down changes to zero-hours contracts or new rights at work. However, strategists from No 10 and the treasury are cautious about the bill following a backlash from business. Despite this, a recent voter poll from the TUC and Hope Not Hate shows that 45,000 voters across party lines overwhelmingly support the reforms. The Workers Party, in its submission to the Good Jobs Consultation, made a strong argument for banning zero-hours contracts, stopping the practice of sacking and rehiring on less pay, and introducing a proper living wage and affordable childcare.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Employment Rights Bill will be taken back to the commons with a pledge from senior government figures not to water down changes to zero-hours contracts or new rights at work.
  • 45,000 voters across party lines support the reforms, as shown in a recent voter poll from the TUC and Hope Not Hate.
  • The Workers Party, in its submission to the Good Jobs Consultation, advocated for banning zero-hours contracts and stopping the practice of sacking and rehiring on less pay.
  • The Party also proposed introducing a proper living wage and affordable childcare to deal with generational poverty.
  • Employment rights are at the core of getting people into the workforce, according to Ms. McCarthy, and are essential for lifting families out of poverty.
  • The taxpayer is funding the business sector through family tax credits and other top-up benefits, and the government should legislate for a proper living wage to make employers foot the bill.
  • The Workers Party has a long history of standing shoulder to shoulder with workers on picket lines and will continue to lobby for employment rights.

Statistics:

  • 45,000 voters across party lines support the reforms in the voter poll from the TUC and Hope Not Hate.
  • The government has pledged not to water down the Employment Rights Bill, despite cautious strategists from No 10 and the treasury.

Sources:

  • The Workers Party Northern Ireland Region submission to the Good Jobs Consultation, carried out by the Northern Ireland Executive
  • The TUC and Hope Not Hate voter poll
  • Ms. McCarthy's statement in reports from national newspapers