[IER] MPs to debate the future of Working Time Regulations on Monday

Fri Jan 22 17:37:00 GMT 2021

News brief - 22/01/21                                                                              <https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=599099f48c> View this email in your browser 

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MPs to debate the future of Working Time Regulations on Monday 

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MPs will  <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/mps-to-debate-the-future-of-eu-derived-workers-rights-on-monday/> debate the future of the Working Time Regulations on Monday (25 January 2021) as the Labour Party forces a vote on ruling out any changes to the 48-hour working week, rest breaks and the entitlement to accrue holiday pay on overtime hours.

The outcome of that vote may clarify the intentions of the government after a week of mixed messages. Last week, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) denied rumours that it was seeking to rip up EU-derived workers' rights, but Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng has since  <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/business-secretary-confirms-govt-consulting-on-eu-derived-workers-rights/> admitted that he is reviewing which employment laws the UK should "keep".

Kwarteng insisted that an ongoing consultation on the Working Time Regulations (which has been shared with a selection of business leaders) is not an attempt to "whittle down" associated employment rights, but suspicions have been raised by his part in writing the right-wing Brittania Unchained report, which described British workers as "idlers" who needed to work longer and harder.

The Business Secretary dismissed concerns about his words in the 2012 book by saying it was written "a long time ago" and that the thoughts of a "bunch of backbench MPs" are no longer relevant.

What he failed to mention was that almost all of those "backbench MPs" - his coauthors for Brittania Unchained - now sit with him in the Prime Minister's Cabinet. They include Priti Patel, Home Secretary; Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary; and Liz Truss, Trade Secretary.

Andy McDonald, Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights and Protections, said the Labour Party would use its Opposition Day debate on Monday to hold the government to account.

"In the middle of a pandemic and an economic crisis, Ministers are considering ripping up workers’ rights," he said.

"The government should be focused on securing our economy and rebuilding the country, not taking a wrecking ball to hard-won rights."

The debate will also serve as an opportunity for Labour MPs to push the government on introducing new legislation to outlaw fire and rehire tactics.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/mps-to-debate-the-future-of-eu-derived-workers-rights-on-monday/> Read full report 

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COMMENT: Almost no employer has been punished for breaking Covid rules. Here’s why

Professor Phil James, who is leading the IER's health and safety project, explains why HSE enforcement of health and safety laws in workplaces fell by 40% in 2020.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/almost-no-employer-has-been-punished-for-breaking-covid-rules-heres-why/> Read full report 

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COMMENT: We created Strike Map to reassure workers that they are not alone

Henry Fowler and Rob Poole of the NEU launch their new Strike Map, which tracks industrial action as it happens across the UK.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/comments/we-created-strike-map-to-reassure-workers-that-they-are-not-alone/> Read full report 

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Two-thirds of lowest-income workers denied financial support for self-isolating, research finds

The likelihood of receiving support is very much a postcode lottery, the CIPD says.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/two-thirds-of-lowest-income-workers-denied-financial-support-for-self-isolating-research-finds/> Read full report 

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Govt faces judicial review over maternity discrimination during lockdown

Rishi Sunak appeared to compare the plight of new mothers struggling on low incomes to people who had taken a sabbatical.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/govt-faces-judicial-review-over-maternity-discrimination-during-lockdown/> Read full report 

  <https://mcusercontent.com/f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3/images/a65ac2f4-3ff1-466a-b219-673ee183ba90.jpg> 

The EHRC is becoming a political instrument, former Chair says

The former Chair of the EHRC says Liz Truss' appointments to the body are weakening its independence.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/the-ehrc-is-becoming-a-political-instrument-former-chair-says/> Read full report 

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Shopworkers win Living Wage in promising new deal for sector

By agreeing to pay workers £10 per hour, Morrison's has become the highest paying supermarket chain in the UK.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/shopworkers-win-living-wage-in-promising-new-deal-for-sector/> Read full report 

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MPs to debate the future of EU-derived workers’ rights on Monday

The Labour Party has called a debate on the government's plans to review EU-derived workers' rights

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/mps-to-debate-the-future-of-eu-derived-workers-rights-on-monday/> Read full report 

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Regulation ‘urgently’ needed to combat employer surveillance of those working at home, says Labour

Employers are tracking workers through their emails, messages and even through their webcams.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/regulation-urgently-needed-to-combat-employer-surveillance-of-those-working-at-home-says-labour/> Read full report 

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Business Secretary admits govt deciding which workers’ rights to “keep”

Kwasi Kwarteng has previously described British workers as "idlers" who do not work long or hard enough.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/business-secretary-confirms-govt-consulting-on-eu-derived-workers-rights/> Read full report 

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BME workers worst hit by Covid job loss, research shows

BME workers are losing their jobs at a faster rate than their white counterparts, the TUC has warned.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/bme-workers-worst-hit-by-covid-job-loss-research-shows/> Read full report 

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Govt votes down attempt to prevent sale of NHS in future trade deals

The government refused to put in writing that the NHS and patient data would be protected in future trade deals.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/govt-votes-down-attempt-to-prevent-sale-of-nhs-in-future-trade-deals/> Read full report 

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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