General Election 2019 – Labour Party Manifesto – analysis of their employment promises

It is usually the case that a change in government will usually bring about changes to employment law. It is not a sweeping generalisation to say that Labour policies generally look to improve protection for employees and that is particularly evident from reading through the Labour party’s manifesto.

Here are a few of Labour’s employment law pledges that we found most interesting:-

1. To “Rapidly introduce” a ‘Real Living Wage’ of at least £10.00 per hour for all workers aged 16 and over. The current minimum wage for an under 18 is £4.35. Labour’s 2017 Manifesto pledged to increase the Living Wage to £10.00 for those 18 and over.

2. Large companies will be required to allow 10% of its shares to be owned collectively by employees.

3. Self-employed people to benefit from free childcare and full-fibre broadband as well as better access to pension and mortgage schemes.

4. Giving all workers the right to flexible working. Currently, employees must have 26 weeks’ service to make such a request.

5. A ban on zero-hours contracts. This featured in both the 2015 and 2017 Labour manifestos.

6. For all rest periods at work to be paid. The Working Time Regulations 1998 currently specify that rest breaks are unpaid.

7. Extending Statutory Maternity Pay to 12 months’ pay (currently this is 9 months). This would be the most generous maternity pay provision throughout the whole of Europe, level with Bulgaria.

8. Increasing Paternity Leave from 2 to 4 weeks and increasing the level of pay. This featured in both the Liberal Democrat 2015 manifesto and the Labour 2017 manifesto.

9. Introducing 4 new Bank Holidays to celebrate our four Patron Saints’ days, resulting in 12 Public and bank holidays. This featured in both the UKIP 2015 manifesto and the Labour 2017 manifesto.

10. Within 10 years they will reduce the average full time weekly working time to 32 hours, with no loss of pay, and repeal the legislation to prevent people working more than 48 hours per week.

11. Introduce 10 days of paid leave for survivors of domestic abuse.

12. Strengthen and enhance various laws and rights of the Trade Unions.

It is noted by the author that, in all his years of reading employment-law pledges at election time, this manifesto has the most that he can recall. These new policies are clearly focused on giving workers and employees enhanced rights in the workplace, whilst also allowing them to have a greater say in the governance of their employers.

To read Labour’s full Workers’ Rights Manifesto you can click on the link below:- https://labour.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2019/12/13238_19-Work-manifesto.pdf

If you want to discuss the past or proposed changes to employment law, or any other employment issue, please feel free to email ben.stanton@franklins-sols.co.uk, or call our Employment Team on 01908 660966 or 01604 828282.