Fears mount Labour is planning to push through new workers’ rights without Parliamentary vote _ Hieuuk
Fears have been raised that Labour is plotting to rush through new workers’ rights without a debate or vote in Parliament.
Under the biggest reform of employment rights in a generation, staff will be able to demand flexible hours from their first day in a new job and win the ‘right to switch off’ outside office hours.
The plans have alarmed business leaders and prompted predictions of a flood of tribunal cases brought by employees refused permission to work a four-day week.
Last night The Times reported that under the plans, employees could even sue bosses for making them work more than the permitted 48 hours in a week.
But despite the concerns, some elements of the so-called Plan to Make Work Pay could be railroaded through without MPs and peers having their say.
Fears have been raised that Labour is plotting to rush through new workers’ rights without a debate in Parliament
Under the biggest reform of employment rights in a generation, staff will be able to demand flexible hours from their first day in a new job
Ministers have pledged to introduce an Employment Rights Bill within 100 days of taking power to cover some of the measures but also said others will be introduced via secondary legislation and guidance – which do not require Commons debates or votes.
Business minister in the Lords Baroness Jones of Whitchurch admitted in a recent reply to a written question: ‘Work is already under way to identify and deliver measures through non-legislative and secondary legislative routes.’
It comes after the Government tried to force through cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment without a vote, while railways re-nationalisation is being fast-tracked.
Last night, Tory business spokesman Kevin Hollinrake said: ‘None of the ministers making these changes has ever run a business, they are completely clueless about the real world that private enterprise operates in.
‘Trying to push through massive changes like these without proper checks and balances is a huge risk.’
A Government spokesman said: ‘The Employment Rights Bill, which will be introduced within 100 days, will be a vital step in the delivery of the ‘make work pay’ plan.’
