Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds have hosted a gathering with enterprise representatives and commerce unions to debate the federal government’s plan for employees’ proper.
The authorities says its Employment Rights Bill would ban the “exploitative” use of zero-hours contracts and finish “fire and rehire” practices.
Unions have largely welcomed the proposals, however some enterprise teams have expressed reservations.
Following the assembly, Ms Rayner hailed “a new era of partnership” that might “bring benefits to everyone across the country striving to build a better life”.
Attendees included the Trades Union Congress, Unite, Unison and the GMB, together with enterprise consultant teams the CBI, the British Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.
The authorities mentioned that in the course of the assembly contributors had “agreed to wipe the slate clean and begin a new relationship of respect and collaboration to help deliver the government’s first mission – to kickstart economic growth”.
In opposition, Labour had lengthy promised to ban zero-hours contracts which permit employers to pay workers solely once they want them, with no assure of normal hours.
Its Employment Rights Bill, introduced shortly after the get together received the final election, goals to scrap the contracts.
The authorities additionally says it could finish hearth and rehire practices the place firms dismiss employees after which rent them again on worse situations.
Another change the Labour authorities hopes to introduce embrace giving employees rights to parental depart, sick pay and safety from unfair dismissal from the primary day of employment.
During the election marketing campaign, the Conservatives mentioned Labour’s plans would burden companies with regulation and cut back funding.
Unite chief Sharon Graham expressed concern Labour’s plan had too many caveats, with “more holes in it than Swiss cheese”.
A draft of the Employment Rights Bill is prone to be revealed within the autumn, offering extra particulars of how the federal government intends to implement its manifesto promise.
‘Support or stifle’
Following the assembly on Wednesday, Tina McKenzie, coverage chair on the Federation of Small Businesses, mentioned it could be “crucial” for the federal government to “try and reduce harm to employment, small businesses and the economy from any and every negative impact of these proposals”.
Jonathan Geldart, director common of the Institute of Directors, mentioned “meaningful dialogue” can be essential in figuring out whether or not the federal government’s proposals would “support or stifle economic growth”.
TUC common secretary Paul Nowak mentioned the assembly was “an important chance for unions and businesses to discuss the shared gains that the government’s reforms will bring”.
Christina McAnea, head of Unison, mentioned: “Britain’s problems are best solved when governments, unions and businesses work together. Lifting standards and making work pay will drive the economic growth to deliver proper investment in essential services.”