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Labour considers move to boost workers' rights Labour considers move to boost workers' rights
(6 months later)
Labour is examining plans to introduce a new fair work commission to bring together the existing enforcement bodies that aim to secure workers their rights, and act as a champion for vulnerable employees, as part of its policy review.Labour is examining plans to introduce a new fair work commission to bring together the existing enforcement bodies that aim to secure workers their rights, and act as a champion for vulnerable employees, as part of its policy review.
The body would help extend the scope and principles of the existing Gangmasters Licensing Authority – from farming and food production to other sectors of the economy – and help ensure that migrants workers are neither exploited or used to undermine other workers. Target industries would be construction, hospitality and the social care sector.The body would help extend the scope and principles of the existing Gangmasters Licensing Authority – from farming and food production to other sectors of the economy – and help ensure that migrants workers are neither exploited or used to undermine other workers. Target industries would be construction, hospitality and the social care sector.
Labour is also looking at ending the loopholes that it says have developed on the use of 1.5 million agency workers, including "pay between assignment contracts". The contract makes the worker an employee of the employment agency, and not subject to full rights to equal pay.Labour is also looking at ending the loopholes that it says have developed on the use of 1.5 million agency workers, including "pay between assignment contracts". The contract makes the worker an employee of the employment agency, and not subject to full rights to equal pay.
The last Labour government painfully negotiated an agreement with the CBI to ensure that after 12 weeks in a job, agency workers were entitled to equal treatment, including on pay, overtime and holiday pay. But unions claim the agreement has been undermined.The last Labour government painfully negotiated an agreement with the CBI to ensure that after 12 weeks in a job, agency workers were entitled to equal treatment, including on pay, overtime and holiday pay. But unions claim the agreement has been undermined.
The Labour policy paper also suggests local councils should have a say in the enforcement of the minimum wage; a doubling of enforcement fines; and examination of proposals for the state to recompense private sector firms that pay the living wage.The Labour policy paper also suggests local councils should have a say in the enforcement of the minimum wage; a doubling of enforcement fines; and examination of proposals for the state to recompense private sector firms that pay the living wage.
Other changes being considered to boost the economy include measures to force developers to disgorge land for which they have planning permission, but where the land has remained idle.Other changes being considered to boost the economy include measures to force developers to disgorge land for which they have planning permission, but where the land has remained idle.
The party is also likely to support a US-style requirement on foreign banks to inform UK tax authorities of its UK account holders. The move is based on the US Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act, which aims to crack down on tax avoidance by requiring foreign banks to report US account holders to the Inland Revenue Service. "As part of its longer term work Labour could consider what the UK can learn from it and whether there is scope to build upon it in the UK", the review says.The party is also likely to support a US-style requirement on foreign banks to inform UK tax authorities of its UK account holders. The move is based on the US Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act, which aims to crack down on tax avoidance by requiring foreign banks to report US account holders to the Inland Revenue Service. "As part of its longer term work Labour could consider what the UK can learn from it and whether there is scope to build upon it in the UK", the review says.
A greater role for local government in strategic health planning is also proposed.A greater role for local government in strategic health planning is also proposed.
The ideas have emerged from a series of Labour policy forum consultations under the title Your Britain, but they appear to be running alongside a near separate policy process being overseen by the policy co-ordinator Jon Cruddas, viewed as one of the most ideological figures in the party. He has spoken widely of the gulf between politics and the working class. He has also said that the 2010 election was as bad for Labour as the 1983 and 1931 elections, arguing that at times of crisis the party had in the past retreated into orthodoxy and economic liberalism.The ideas have emerged from a series of Labour policy forum consultations under the title Your Britain, but they appear to be running alongside a near separate policy process being overseen by the policy co-ordinator Jon Cruddas, viewed as one of the most ideological figures in the party. He has spoken widely of the gulf between politics and the working class. He has also said that the 2010 election was as bad for Labour as the 1983 and 1931 elections, arguing that at times of crisis the party had in the past retreated into orthodoxy and economic liberalism.
The national executive was told by Cruddas last month that he was running 20 separate policy groups through the shadow cabinet with the aim of work being completed by the autumn of 2014.The national executive was told by Cruddas last month that he was running 20 separate policy groups through the shadow cabinet with the aim of work being completed by the autumn of 2014.
The national executive has asked for the two procedures to be run closer together and to have access to the 20 papers. Some of the papers have been branded as bland, trivial and prone to avoid difficult decisions, including on the state of the public finances.The national executive has asked for the two procedures to be run closer together and to have access to the 20 papers. Some of the papers have been branded as bland, trivial and prone to avoid difficult decisions, including on the state of the public finances.
For instance, a paper on the rail industry does not address franchising. Similarly, a paper on political democracy tentatively backs votes at 16, something that has been party policy for at least five years.For instance, a paper on the rail industry does not address franchising. Similarly, a paper on political democracy tentatively backs votes at 16, something that has been party policy for at least five years.
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