The Herald

Gig economy workers ‘will be let down by weak review’

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MICHAEL SETTLE

creation of a new ‘dependent contractor’ status for gig economy workers would further complicate existing categories of how workers are defined in law.

“What is needed is one category, which affords all workers all employment rights from day one of their contracts starting. This new status is unclear and unnecessar­y.”

Mr Taylor said the UK’s performanc­e on the quantity of work was strong, adding that now was the time to create better jobs.

He said: “Despite the impact of the National Living Wage and tax credits, there will always be people who are in work but finding it hard to make ends meet. Our social contract with those people should include dignity at work and the realistic scope to progress in the labour market.”

He noted how bad work – “insecure, exploitati­ve, controllin­g” – was detrimenta­l to people’s health and wellbeing; something which generated cost for vulnerable individual­s, as well as for wider society.

Mr Taylor set out seven “principles for fair and decent work”, including a goal of “good work for all”, additional protection­s for workers suffering unfair, one-sided flexibilit­y, stronger incentives for firms to treat workers fairly, and a more proactive approach to workplace health.

Mrs May is expected to say that the Taylor review will inform her efforts to ensure that “the high standards of our best employers become the benchmark against which all employers are judged”.

Len McCluskey, the Unite leader, said: “Without fully resourced enforcemen­t then all we have from Mr Taylor and the Government is a dog that is all bark and no bite.”

Tim Roache, the GMB’s general secretary, said: “The recommenda­tions show some laudable aims on the surface – and of course any progress in basic employment rights is welcome – but as a whole it’s a disappoint­ing missed opportunit­y.” THERESA May and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who were at Oxford University at the same time, visited the scene of the Borough Market terror atrocity yesterday.

They were briefed by police officers and paramedics, who rushed to the aid of victims, and also spoke to traders in the market, one of London’s most popular visitor attraction­s. Two Australian­s died in June’s terror attacks in south-east London.

The two earlier met church leaders at nearby Southwark Cathedral.

After a day of talks, Mr Turnbull said Australia is “very keen” to secure a trade deal with the UK post Brexit “as quickly as possible”.

Mr Turnbull said: “We move quickly. Australian­s are fleet of foot. We don’t muck around. We’re very simple. So we will move as quickly as the UK will move.”

He added that Australia “had been the first on the phone” to call for a free trade agreement following Britain’s decision to leave the EU.

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