TUC calls on Liz Truss to “come clean” over her plans for workers’ rights
The TUC has today (Saturday) called on Liz Truss to “come clean” over her plans for workers’ rights.
Commenting on reports in today’s Times – that Liz Truss is looking to begin a review of EU-derived worker protections – TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“Liz Truss’ number one priority should be to help families pay their bills this winter.
“Threatening hard-won workers’ rights is the last thing the country and working people need.
“She must come clean about her plans.
“Holiday pay, equal pay for women and men, safe limits on working hours and parental leave are just a few of the rights underpinned by retained EU law. These are vital workplace protections and rights – not nice-to-haves.
“Leading Conservatives – including Kwasi Kwarteng – repeatedly promised to make Britain the best place in the world to work and to enhance workers’ rights. That promise now appears in tatters.
“Rather than dealing with the cost of living emergency, ministers seem more interested in attacking workers’ terms and conditions.”
In May the TUC wrote to Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng demanding assurances that EU-derived workers’ rights would not be watered down.
The union body says that in addition to not bringing forward an employment bill to improve workers’ rights (having promised repeatedly to do so), ministers now appear intent on diluting rights at work.
The TUC previously commissioned the legal help of Michael Ford QC to examine the rights at risk post-Brexit, including those strengthened by EU law. The rights include, among others:
- Holiday pay
- Equal pay for men and women
- Parental leave
- Equal treatment for part-time workers
These rights provide an essential protection against the erosion of working conditions.
