UK's New Employment Rights Bill: A Generational Shift for Workers

British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced that the government would introduce new legislation to enhance workers' rights next month. The Employment Rights Bill will target zero-hour contracts and unfair employment practices while aiming to balance the needs of trade unions and business leaders.

British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced on Sunday that the government is set to introduce groundbreaking new legislation next month aimed at enhancing workers' rights. The proposed Employment Rights Bill seeks to address key issues like zero-hour contracts and unfair employment practices.

The bill plans to prohibit zero-hour contracts, a significant change for around 1 million British workers currently on such contracts. It will also aim to ban the controversial 'fire and rehire' tactics employed by some companies. Additionally, Labour has vowed to introduce immediate parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal from the first day of employment, though probation periods will remain unchanged.

Speaking at the Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool, Rayner emphasized the transformative impact of the proposed bill, promising it would provide the most improved workers' rights for a generation. Recent discussions between government officials, businesses, and trade unions further highlight the commitment to ending the one-sided flexibility inherent in zero-hour contracts.

(With inputs from agencies.)