In a powerful declaration of intent, Labour's Dame Angela Eagle has pledged that an incoming Labour government will swiftly move to outlaw the controversial 'fire and rehire' practices, condemning them as a "national scandal" that has been allowed to fester under the Conservatives.
The veteran MP and former Shadow Minister laid out a stark vision for the future of workers' rights in the UK, promising to bring forward an Employment Rights Bill within the first 100 days of a Labour government taking power. This legislation would decisively shut the door on a tactic that has seen companies sack staff only to re-employ them on worse, often devastating, terms and conditions.
A Betrayal of British Workers
Dame Angela did not mince her words, accusing the current government of turning a blind eye to the exploitation. "The Tories have had every opportunity to outlaw this vile practice but have chosen not to do so," she stated, highlighting a profound failure to protect ordinary employees from corporate overreach.
The Mirror's own investigation has been at the forefront of exposing the human cost of fire and rehire, revealing how major, profitable firms have used the tactic to slash wages and undermine job security, leaving countless families in precarious financial situations.
The Human Cost of a Permissive System
The article underscores numerous high-profile cases, painting a picture of a system rigged against the worker. These aren't isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of erosion in employment protections, a trend Labour is now vowing to aggressively reverse.
This commitment represents more than just a policy change; it is a symbolic first step in what Labour promises will be a fundamental rebalancing of power in the workplace, putting dignity and security back at the heart of the British economy.
