Labour’s 20 point plan to end the ‘rigged economy’ in work
Labour is backing a comprehensive programme to strengthen rights
at work, make sure new jobs are good jobs, and end the race to the bottom in
pay, conditions and job security.
Low pay and insecurity have mushroomed under the Conservatives.
Labour will invest in the jobs and industries of the future, and take action to
enforce a floor under employment standards across the board – so that all jobs
are decent jobs.
The next Labour government will bring in a 20 point plan for
security and equality at work:
· Give
all workers equal rights from day one, whether part-time or full-time,
temporary or permanent – so that all workers have the same
rights and protections whatever kind of job they have
· Ban
zero hours contracts – so that every worker gets a guaranteed number of hours each
week
· Ensure
that any employer wishing to recruit labour from abroad does not undercut
workers at home – because it causes divisions when one workforce is used against
another
· Repeal
the Trade Union Act and roll out sectoral collective bargaining –
because the most effective way to maintain good rights at work is through a
trade union
· Guarantee
trade unions a right to access workplaces – so that unions can
speak to members and potential members
· Introduce
four new Bank Holidays – we’ll bring our country together with
new holidays to mark our four national patron saints’ days, so that workers in
Britain get the same proper breaks as in other countries.
· Raise
the minimum wage to the level of the living wage (expected to be at least £10 per
hour by 2020) – so that no one in work gets poverty pay
· End
the public sector pay cap – because public sector wages have
fallen and our public sector workers deserve a pay rise
· Amend
the takeover code to ensure every takeover proposal has a clear plan in place
to protect workers and pensioners – because workers shouldn’t
suffer when a company is sold
· Roll
out maximum pay ratios – of 20:1 in the public sector and
companies bidding for public contracts – because it cannot be right that wages
at the top keep rising while everyone else’s stagnates
· Ban
unpaid internships – because it’s not fair for some to get a leg up when others
can’t afford to
· Enforce
all workers’ rights to trade union representation at work – so
that all workers can be supported when negotiating with their employer
· Abolish
employment tribunal fees – so that people have access to justice
· Double
paid paternity leave to four weeks and increase paternity pay –
because fathers are parents too and deserve to spend more time with their new
babies
· Strengthen
protections for women against unfair redundancy –
because no one should be penalised for having children
· Hold
a public inquiry into blacklisting – to ensure that
blacklisting truly becomes and remains a thing of the past
· Give
equalities reps statutory rights – so they have time to
protect workers from discrimination
· Reinstate
protection against third party harassment – because everyone
deserves to be safe at work
· Use
public spending power to drive up standards, including only awarding
public contracts to companies which recognise trade unions
· Introduce
a civil enforcement system to ensure compliance with
gender pay auditing– so that all workers have fair access to employment and promotion
opportunities and are treated fairly at work
John McDonnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, said:
“These policies will be the cornerstone of the next Labour
government’s programme to bring an end to the rigged economy that many
experience in workplaces across Britain.
“The scandal of six million people earning less than the living
wage, and four million children growing up in poverty are not inevitable. It
only takes a change of government to bring these outrages to an end.
“The measures we are planning will make that possible, update our
country for the 21st century and prepare us for the economic
challenges ahead.
“They will also underpin the values we want to see in the British
economy, and underline the scale of Labour’s plans to transform the workplace
from the shop-floor up to the boardroom.
“When voters go to the polls on 8th June they
should know that if they vote Labour, they will be voting for a change in the
balance of power not only in society but in their places of work.
“It will mean tearing up the Tory status quo that allows most
people’s wages to fall behind prices, and allow them to start to share in the
wealth they help to create.
“Only a Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn will stand up for
the many in our offices and factories, while the Tories are only prepared to
protect big business and a wealthy few.”
Rebecca Long-Bailey, Shadow Secretary of State for Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy, said:
“Labour’s 20 point plan on employment rights seeks not only
to extend the rights of workers but enforce them too. For too long people have
fallen through the gaps in the law or suffered because the law is simply
inadequate, we intend to stop this. This election offers a clear choice: do you
want a labour market run for the many or the few.”
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