Government Employment Rights Bill is a threat to tourism, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP says
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Speaking to the House of Commons at the bill’s second reading, Alison Griffiths, who won her seat in the summer election, said: “I rise today to express my concerns about the impact of the Employment Rights Bill on one of the most vulnerable groups in our workforce: seasonal workers.
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Hide Ad“Those individuals form the backbone of key sectors such as tourism, agriculture and retail, particularly in my constituency of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, where many depend on seasonal jobs for their livelihoods. I fear that the Bill will put their livelihoods at risk, as well as the viability of the businesses that employ them.”
If passed, The Employment Rights Bill will give employees the right to claim unfair dismissal from the very first day of their employment, as well as ask for flexible working arrangements and unpaid paternal leave.
Alongside this, staff will be able claim statutory sick pay from the very first day of their illness, and should benefit from increased protection from sexual harassment in the work place.
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Hide AdIntroduced to parliament on October 10, and a large part of the Labour Party’s manifesto, the government claims this new bill is the first phase of delivering a plan to ‘make work pay’, but Ms Griffiths has raised concerns about its impact on businesses.
Of particular concern to Mrs Griffiths is a clause which empowers staff on zero-hour contracts to opt into guaranteed hours, and has called for greater detail in the bill, urging the government to consult with local businesses in order to ensure their voices are heard.
"Our local economy is driven by small and medium-sized businesses, many of which are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic. The increased regulatory burden could push them to the brink. We need to strike a better balance between worker protections and the need for flexibility and survival for businesses,” she said. “Detail is precisely what is needed for this bill to be implemented effectively (...)This bill will disincentivize employers from offering short term opportunities.”