Almost a million agency workers are set to benefit from new government zero-hour contract protections as Ministers today [TUESDAY 4 March] table amendments to the Employment Rights Bill following weeks of consultation and responses from business groups, trade unions and wider civil society.
The changes will mean a further 900,000 agency workers – including, as new analysis reveals, 4,118 here in Tower Hamlets – will enjoy protections.
These amendments will ensure that agency work does not become a loophole in our plans to end exploitative zero hours contracts. They will offer increased security for working people to receive reasonable notice of shifts and proportionate pay when shifts are cancelled, curtailed or moved at short notice – whilst retaining the necessary flexibility for employers in how they manage their workforces.
The Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay is a core part of the mission to grow the economy, raise living standards and create opportunities for people across the country. These amendments will deliver on the Plan for Change by tackling the low pay, poor working conditions and poor job security that have been holding the UK economy back.
Labour’s Cllr Sirajul Islam in Tower Hamlets said:
“This Bill represents the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation – boosting living standards and firing growth – and that’s great news for families and businesses in Tower Hamlets.
“Labour is making work pay, ensuring that working people in Tower Hamlets receive a decent day’s pay for a hard day’s work. Agency workers mustn’t be left out of this new deal for working people – no one should be exploited, and we all deserve basic fairness at work.
“Labour promised Tower Hamlets that a Labour Government meant change for the better – and that’s what we are delivering.”
The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:
“For too long millions of workers have been forced to face insecure, low paid and irregular work, while our economy is blighted by low growth and low productivity.
“We have been working closely with businesses and workers to progress this landmark bill and deliver our Plan for Change – unleashing growth and making work pay for everyone.”
ENDS
Up to 2.65% of workers are agency workers who will now be able to access a contract which reflects their hours worked
In Tower Hamlets that means an estimated 4118 workers
There are 33.86 million people in work in the UK
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9366
Up to 900,000 agency workers in the UK, should be able to access a contract which reflects the hours they regularly work. These amendments will ensure that agency work does not become a loophole in our plans to end exploitative zero hours contracts. They will offer increased security for working people to receive reasonable notice of shifts and proportionate pay when shifts are cancelled, curtailed or moved at short notice – whilst retaining the necessary flexibility for employers in how they manage their workforces.
