News brief - 30/10/20 View this email in your browser
The National Minimum Wage Bill: What it is, why it’s needed, and how it could be strengthened
Next Friday (06 November), Labour MP Paula Barker will introduce a new National Minimum Wage Bill to the House of Commons.
The proposed legislation would require employers to demonstrate their compliance with National Minimum Wage rules via stronger record-keeping regulations.
Labour lawyer, Kate Ewing, analyses the Bill in our latest comment piece, discussing both its strengths and the areas in which it could be improved.
The news this week underlines the urgent need for such reforms, and others that strengthen workers' rights, as MPs warned that furloughed workers will soon be forced to live on £5.81 per hour, nearly two-thirds of young workers have already lost earnings this year, and both BAME and working class women are taking the brunt of the Covid-19 risk through low-paid, frontline occupations.
New research further suggests that the pandemic has widened the UK's wealth gap and is creating the conditions for a longer-term trend in which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. While lower spending during lockdown has swollen the wallets of the affluent, those on low incomes are scraping by on lower wages that any lockdown savings cannot outweigh.
Finally, it seems that any new fight for workers' rights may receive wide public support, as a new poll found that most businesses want employment law to provide better protection for workers.
COMMENT: The National Minimum Wage Bill: What it is, why it’s needed, and how it could be strengthened
Kate Ewing analyses a new Labour Bill, which would require employers to demonstrate they are complying with National Minimum Wage rules.
Read full report
WATCH: New expert equality resources at the IER
The IER has released a brand new series of expert-led resources in the form of low-cost video recordings of expert seminars.
For just £8 - or £6.50 if you subscribe to the IER - you can get access to a full hour recording of expert comment, plus all the papers discussed on the day.
WATCH: Equality at Work Update 2020 (Part 1)
Top lawyers and campaigners discuss racial inequality in the workplace and how the law can be strengthened to protect all workers.
Read more and purchase your copy
WATCH: Equality at Work Update 2020 (Part 2)
An analysis of the issues creating the gender pay gap and how unions can organise to close it.
Read more and purchase your copy
In the news
Pardons expected for trade unionists convicted under Thatcher
The pardons are expected to apply to most Scottish trade unionists who were convicted of offences during the miners' strike.
Read full report
Unemployed women ‘almost three times more likely’ to experience stillbirth
Campaigners warn that stillbirth rates are higher than they need to be as a result of social as well as health factors.
Read full report
Covid-19 has exacerbated wealth gap, research finds
New figures show the rich got richer and the poor got poorer throughout the pandemic so far.
Read full report
Labour MPs call on govt to pay furloughed workers no less than NMW
Without urgent action, workers may find themselves earning just £5.81 per hour from this weekend.
Read full report
BAME women ‘at twice the risk’ of both Covid-19 and low pay, research shows
BAME women are being put at risk by the circumstances of their employment, research has found.
Read full report
Most young workers suffered pay cut during pandemic, study finds
Almost two-thirds saw their earnings reduced, while more than one in ten lost their job entirely.
Read full report
Most employers want stronger workers’ rights, study finds
Nearly two-thirds of businesses say that employment law should be stronger, including in raising wages.
Read full report
BOOK NOW: Employment Law Update 2020
Employment Law Update 2020: Part 1
24th November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Leading lawyers and campaigners take a closer look at some of the dirtiest tactics of the pandemic, including fire and rehire, redundancies, and health and safety .
Register your place
Employment Law Update 2020: Part 2
26th November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Leading lawyers, academics and campaigners update delegates as to the most significant cases going through the tribunal system and their wider impact on the protection of workers.
Register your place
BRAND NEW SERIES OF FREE IER EVENTS
Challenging racism at work: Part 1
03 November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Tony Conway of Coventry Against Racism; Manoj Dias-Abey of Bristol University; and Patrick Roach of NASUWT will discuss immigration policy and its impact on workers' rights.
Register your place
Redistribution of working time and wealth
09 November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Ian Waddell of CSEU; Anna Coote of NEF; and Andy McDonald, Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights make the case of shorter working time.
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Access to justice
17 November 2020 - 7pm-8pm
Jason Moyer-Lee of the IWGB; Lord John Hendy QC, Chairperson of the IER; and Shantha David of UNISON discuss how strategic legal challenges can be used to push back against attacks on access to justice.
Register your place
IER and Covid-19
Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease and the need to keep our staff, supporters and speakers safe, IER have decided to postpone all forthcoming IER events and meetings until further notice, including both Health and safety at work after Brexit conferences in Liverpool and London, the IER Executive Committee, IER AGM and our joint event with the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom on 6th June.
IER staff will continue to work, but remotely from home. We will answer emails, produce publications and circulate our weekly News Briefs and other on-line information. However, phone calls to the office or mail sent by post will not receive immediate attention.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish you all best wishes during this difficult time.
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