More than seven million workers will “get new rights on their first day of work” in the new...

October 5, 2024, 00:44

Rachel Reeves (left), Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer applaud Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Leveling Up, Housing and Communities — Rachel Reeves (left), Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer applauds as Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Upgrading, Housing and Communities.

Photo: Getty

More than seven million workers will benefit from new sick pay, maternity pay and protection against unfair dismissals under Labor’s new plans, reports claim.

Labor is reportedly set to announce “once-in-a-generation” changes to workers’ rights next week, as it seeks to grant greater protections to workers.

Under the Employment Rights Bill, workers will receive sick pay from the first day of their illness. Currently, employees are only entitled to sick pay on the fourth day of their illness.

Women will have the right to claim maternity pay from their first day of work and will have greater protection against dismissal on their return, the report continues.

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Trial periods, which can extend up to two years, would be capped at six months, giving workers additional protection against unfair dismissals.

Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Photo: Getty

Zero-hours contracts should also be scrapped if they are deemed “exploitative” under new laws.

However, Labor has ceded ground to business leaders, including abandoning a statutory “right to disconnect”, the Times newspaper reports.

“The potential for this to be positive is that by further eliminating ‘unfair’ employment practices, the overall quality of jobs in the economy increases, unfair competition is reduced and potentially more people re-enter the workforce, thereby helping to solve the UK’s business problem. ” Anna Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors, told the Times.

“But there is the risk of using a hammer to crack a nut, which would simply make hiring more expensive and reduce job opportunities.”

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, added: “The Employment Rights Bill, if implemented in full, will improve the work of millions of workers… Treating staff well will increase the productivity and standard of living. »