Unions call for workers' rights to be improved

Trade union bosses are calling on the Government to improve workers' rights after research showed that there is growing support for measures like banning zero-hours contracts and tackling insecure jobs.

The TUC says the Government is "dithering" over its manifesto promise as it marked International Workers' Day on Saturday by releasing the findings of a survey showing 80% support for giving all workers the same set of basic employment rights.

The survey of 1,200 adults saw 54% back a ban on zero-hours contracts and 70% agree that workers should be given 28 days' notice of shifts so they can plan their lives and childcare.

General secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Too many still go day to day without knowing what hours they'll be working or whether they'll even earn enough to put food on the table.

"The pandemic exposed the terrible working conditions and insecurity that is the reality of many key workers and it beggars belief the Government is still dragging its heels on an Employment Bill that was first announced a year and a half ago.

"It's time the Government stopped dithering. Ministers must bring forward the Employment Bill in next month's Queen's Speech, and use it to ban zero-hours contracts and end exploitation at work, once and for all."

A Business Department spokesman said: "We are bringing forward plans to crack down on workplace abuses through a powerful new enforcement body, while giving workers more freedom over where and when they work by putting an end to the use of exclusivity clauses for those on low pay."