Labour Faces Calls to Strengthen Employment Rights Bill as Key Pledges Are Scaled Back

Proposed reforms, including bans on zero-hours contracts and fire-and-rehire practices, face criticism for being diluted as the bill progresses through Parliament.

Labour's Employment Rights Bill, aimed at tackling insecure work and improving protections, has faced criticism for scaling back key pledges made in the party's manifesto.
The 'right to disconnect' policy, which would have allowed workers to avoid work communications outside contracted hours, has been dropped to reduce perceived burdens on businesses.
Provisions to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts and fire-and-rehire practices have been softened, focusing on limiting rather than outright prohibiting these practices.
Unions and Labour MPs are urging the government to expand protections, including stronger enforcement mechanisms and broader collective bargaining rights across more sectors.
The bill includes significant measures like day-one unfair dismissal protections, compensation for canceled shifts, and strengthened rights for union access, but critics argue these do not go far enough to address systemic exploitation.

The Times