[IER] Anger as public contract for firm behind P&O sackings is confirmed

Fri Mar 31 16:31:34 BST 2023

News brief 31/03/23    <https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=f121e48a8bb6d3101590c12d3&id=283a291d0b> View this email in your browser 

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Anger as public contract for DP World, the firm behind P&O sackings, is confirmed

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A decision to award the owner of P&O Ferries a major public contract has sparked outrage, after the firm sacked 800 workers without notice last year. Dubai-owned DP World has been approved to co-run the Thames Freeport in Essex, as part of the Government’s freeports plan. The government said the new freeport would “help to grow the economy”.

P&O Ferries sacked 800 hundred seafarers in March 2022 and replaced them with agency workers. A week afterwards, CEO Peter Hebblethwaite admitted to a Parliamentary select committee that the decision had broken employment law.

At the time, the government called the workers’ treatment “wholly unacceptable”. Under public  pressure, the government also cancelled a contract with P&O Ferries in May 2022. But on Monday the government confirmed plans for the Thames Freeport had recently been approved, and it would be run by a partnership between DP World, Ford and Forth Ports. The freeport will receive £25m in government funding.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/anger-as-public-contract-for-dp-world-the-firm-behind-po-sackings-is-confirmed/> More details 

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Freeports must not lead to deregulation and attacks on workers’ rights – RMT

The union was reacting to news that two sites in Wales will be gain Freeport status meaning there will be special exemption from tax rates, customs rules and other regulations.

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/freeports-must-not-lead-to-deregulation-and-attacks-on-workers-rights-rmt/> More details 

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Thousands of seafarers will miss out on NMW increase

RMT lambasts Govt ahead of the National Minimum Wage increase, pointing out thousands of seafarers will not be eligible for the rise. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/thousands-of-seafarers-will-miss-out-on-nmw-increase%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc/> More details 

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Firefighters’ union calls for defiance of anti-strike laws

National demonstrations and sustained mass mobilisations can defeat the bill, the FBU says. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/firefighters-union-calls-for-defiance-of-anti-strike-laws/> More details 

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Covid death families have yet to claim millions in compensation, says Unison

Millions of pounds of compensation promised by Ministers to relatives of frontline health and social care workers may still remain unclaimed. 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/covid-death-families-have-yet-to-claim-millions-in-compensation-says-unison/> More details 

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Watching me, watching you: Worker surveillance in the UK after the pandemic

Worker surveillance is as old as work itself, but new technology is making it easier and cheaper than ever 

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/news/watching-me-watching-you-worker-surveillance-in-the-uk-after-the-pandemic/> More details 

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Workers too 'paranoid' to use toilet all day as bosses webcam spying

Employees are increasingly being treated 'like robots' with bosses watching them through their laptop cameras or timing them when they go to the toilet, a shocking report exposes (via The Mirror) 

 <https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/workers-paranoid-use-toilet-day-29552909> More details 

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Employment Law Update 2023 (London)

This annual Institute event providing an update on employment law developments took place in front of a well-attended audience on 23rd March 2023 at the HQ of Unite the Union in London.

- Event blog by Roger Jeary

 <https://www.ier.org.uk/events/employment-law-update-2023-london/> Read here 

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