Labour Government will deliver the biggest workers' rights package in decades, insists Ian Murray

Writing for the Daily Record, the Scottish Secretary said the new legislation will secure dignity in work for millions.

Workers across Scotland are set for a better deal as the UK Government today unveils the biggest package of workers’ rights in a generation to make work pay. We promised during the election campaign to make work pay and bring in a New Deal for Working People within 100 days. Today we are keeping that promise.

This is all part of our plan to deliver economic growth for workers, businesses, and local communities right across the UK. This Labour government is pro worker and pro business, so these reforms will not just help Scottish workers but also boost Scottish businesses of all sizes.

The world of work has changed dramatically in recent years, but employment rights have failed to keep pace. Things aren’t working for good businesses, or for people who need to balance work with raising children or supporting a loved one with a health condition.

The best employers know that employees are most productive when they feel they are treated fairly. That is why it's vital to give employers the flexibility they need to grow whilst ending unscrupulous and unfair practices.

Over the past 14 years, the Tories have failed Scottish workers and businesses. Too many companies are reporting staff shortages and too many workers don’t feel secure in their job. These changes will make it easier for employers to attract and retain staff, while also ensuring everyone can have that feeling of security at work.

Labour has a proud history of making the world of work better for all. It was the post-war Labour government which vastly extended things like sick pay and pensions. In the 1970s, Labour made workplaces safer and brought about equal pay for men and women.

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After 1997, Labour transformed workers’ rights again, extending maternity leave, introducing paternity and adoption leave, and of course, the national minimum wage, immediately raising wages for millions of workers.

Now in 2024, these new laws will ban exploitative zero-hour contracts, make work more secure, and establish ‘day one employment rights’. We will close loopholes to end unscrupulous hire and fire and give workers greater protections against unfair dismissal.

Today is a win for our young workers, with the discriminatory age brackets for the minimum wage being scrapped. Pregnant women and new mothers will also get stronger protection against dismissal. A new right to bereavement leave will help workers when they most need time off.

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We know that lots of firms already make decisions in the best interest of their employees. Today’s changes are about creating a level playing field and ensuring good employers aren’t undercut by the bad ones.

Our plan to make work pay will grow our economy, tackle in-work poverty, raise living standards and create opportunities for all. We are tackling head on the low pay, poor working conditions and job insecurity that has been holding our country back.

We’ll be working with business, trade unions, and workers to get the job done, and deliver a fairer, modern economy that drives up living standards for all.

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