[IER] Govt jobs tsar Taylor comes out in support of "gig economy"

Fri Jun 30 17:24:49 BST 2017

IER News Brief 30/06/17

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news brief

Friday 30th June 2017

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Last year, the government initiated its review into workplace exploitation and the "gig economy" and invited former adviser to Tony Blair Matthew Taylor to lead it. The Institute of Employment Rights has warned throughout Taylor's investigation that the results of his review are unlikely to be the robust and effective protections that workers need.

Indeed, earlier this week, Taylor appeared to come out in support of the gig economy <http://ier.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=f8d9b7cb4f&e=71131c031b>  in his speech at a TUC Conference, saying the UK is the "envy" of Europe because of its "flexible" workforce.

The IER reminds readers that the UK is the most unequal country in Europe in terms of wage inequality; the average Briton workers longer hours a day, more days a week, more years in their lifetime, and receives a lower pension when they retire than most of their European counterparts; and can expect lower levels of education and training, fewer paid holidays, and lower compensation for redundancy, sick and parental leave.

A greater proportion of UK workers live in poverty than on the mainland, and the state is forced to subsidise wages more so than anywhere else in Europe.

Taylor's review is expected to be published in the coming weeks and he has previously revealed he will recommend policies such as the right to request guaranteed hours - a proposal roundly criticised for being  <http://ier.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=b0b7de4be6&e=71131c031b> "virtually worthless" to workers in jobs so insecure that they avoid rocking the boat for fear of dismissal.

Elsewhere this week, the Tories cheered as they voted down much-needed pay rises for emergency service workers <http://ier.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=81003ba157&e=71131c031b> , while Scotland promised to end the public sector pay cap.

Uncertainty continues for EU Nationals after it was revealed Theresa May's proposed deal only offers them a limited right to remain <http://ier.us12.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=9a8eb67897&e=71131c031b> . This comes as more than one million EU workers plan to leave the UK <http://ier.us12.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=880a5ac9fa&e=71131c031b> , potentially leaving the country in a skills crisis.

But what of workers' rights for those who stay in the UK after the exit from Europe? Seats are booking up fast for our conference analysing Post-Brexit Employment Rights and Trade Deals in London on 19 July <http://ier.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=18bdc30475&e=71131c031b> , our experts will debate the risks to and opportunities for workers' and trade union rights from Brexit and trade deals. Book your place now to avoid disappointment <http://ier.us12.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=d6a17ba863&e=71131c031b> .

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	Taylor 'supports continuation of gig economy'
Government jobs tsar Matthew Taylor has told the Trades Union Congress that the UK’s labour market is the “envy” of other European countries, according to the Telegraph.
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