Out-of-touch members of the House of Lords are going against the will of voters by supporting measures that weaken reforms protecting workers’ rights, according to the TUC leader.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak criticized Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers for stalling the progress of the Employment Rights Bill with amendments aimed at diluting safeguards for millions of workers.
The Bill, set to be debated in the House of Lords on Tuesday, aims to outlaw exploitative zero-hours contracts, grant workers the right to compensation for canceled shifts, and prevent unfair dismissals from day one.
However, the bill’s advancement is being hindered by amendments proposed by Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers, including one that could allow employers to avoid offering guaranteed hours contracts to workers.
Another amendment seeks to impose a six-month qualifying period before workers are protected from unfair dismissals.
An analysis by the TUC revealed that over 2 million workers could lose protection against unfair dismissal if the amendments are approved.
Nowak stated, “Supporting zero-hours contracts and denying 2 million workers protection from unfair dismissals demonstrates that Conservative and Liberal Democrat Lords are aligning themselves with unscrupulous employers.”
He added, “Banning zero-hours contracts and safeguarding workers from unjust dismissals are sensible measures that the majority of people, including Conservative and Liberal Democrat supporters, want to see enacted.”
Nowak urged opposition peers to reconsider their stance, emphasizing the need for the government to implement new rights for millions of workers.
A recent survey by Hope Not Hate indicated that 71% of respondents, including 64% of Conservative supporters and 74% of Liberal Democrat backers, support protecting workers from unfair dismissals from the first day of employment.
Additionally, nearly 8 in 10 respondents (78%) endorsed a proposal to require employers to offer zero-hours contract workers a guaranteed-hours contract after 12 weeks, with support from 72% of Conservative voters and 79% of Liberal Democrat supporters.
