Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has warned the Labour government against diluting its employment rights bill, insisting that the reforms are 'good for the economy' and must be delivered in full. Speaking to the BBC, Graham said unions would not allow pledges made during the election campaign to be weakened or delayed.
Graham stressed that trade unions act as an 'equaliser' and that higher wages do not harm economic prosperity. 'You don't have to be a bad employer to be prosperous,' she said, adding that the bill is central to Labour's promise to the British people.
The bill includes bans on exploitative zero-hours contracts, most instances of fire and rehire, and provides day-one protection from unfair dismissal, though probation periods will be allowed. It also protects workers from harassment. However, changes during its Commons passage have already allowed some fire and rehire cases when a business faces collapse.
Downing Street and Labour sources insist the legislation will proceed despite business pressure to water down protections. New business secretary Peter Kyle phoned union leaders over the weekend to reassure them. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak will urge the prime minister at the TUC conference to implement the manifesto 'in full'.
Critics, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have called for the bill to be dropped, claiming it will cost firms over £5bn and harm economic growth. However, polling suggests the bill could boost Labour's popularity among former Conservative and Reform voters, with the harassment protection particularly well-received despite being labelled a 'banter ban' by opponents.
