The House of Commons has rejected the House of Lords’ proposed changes to the Employment Rights Bill and reiterated plans to protect workers from unfair dismissal from day one of employment. Further debate will continue at the House of Lords on 17 November.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Kate Dearden, employment minister said: “The Government is committed to ending one-sided flexibility, so workers are not left guessing about their hours or pay. These reforms reward fair employers, modernise the system and will come with clear guidance to help everyone prepare. Workers will be able to decline a guaranteed-hours offer and remain on their existing arrangement if that is best for them.”
She continued: “We remain committed to delivering unfair dismissal protections from day one: not two years, not six months, day one. A clear pledge in our manifesto, which ensures that nine million employees who have worked for their employer for less than two years are protected from being arbitrarily fired. Day-one protection from unfair dismissal will not remove the right of businesses to dismiss people who cannot do their job or pass a probation, but it will tackle cases of unfair dismissal where hard-working employees are sacked without good reason.”
Joanne Thomas, Usdaw general secretary, said: “The Government put up a strong defence to opposition Peers trying to undermine the Employment Rights Bill. We welcome that MPs today rejected the Lords amendments and we urge Peers to end their opposition to this crucial legislation to make work more secure. It was clearly a key part of Labour’s manifesto, which was widely supported by voters in last year’s landslide general election win. It ill becomes unelected Tory and Lib Dem Peers to go against the expressed will of the people.
“I am staggered that the Tories, Lib Dems and Reform want to allow workers to be unfairly dismissed without any recourse to an employment tribunal. Labour is rightly ending the two-year service qualification for challenging an unfair dismissal and making sure that employers have to act fairly from day one. Under the Government’s proposal, employers would still be able to dismiss a worker if it is done fairly and through a proper process.
“Our members in retail and distribution are hardworking people, serving their communities, and their jobs matter – yet too often, they are treated like they don’t. From one week to the next, their hours can change at the whim of their employer. Working hours that are not in the employment contract, therefore not guaranteed, count for nothing when people are trying to secure a mortgage, rental agreement or loan. They can’t plan their finances, their childcare or their lives. They are constantly worried about whether they will be able to pay their bills. That is no way to have to live. That’s why they need the Employment Rights Bill, which will deliver the right to a contract that guarantees the number of hours you regularly work.”
