Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, is scheduled to engage in discussions with union leaders and executives on Wednesday as the administration seeks to fulfill its goal of eliminating “exploitative” zero-hours contracts.
According to Sky News, Ms. Rayner, along with business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and employment rights minister Justin Madders, will convene with representatives from prominent business associations, including the CBI and FSB, as part of Labour’s ‘Make Work Pay’ initiatives.
Insiders indicated that this meeting will serve as a platform for ministers to elaborate on their proposals in light of a mounting backlash from the private sector.
Representatives from the TUC, Unite, and USDAW, the union representing shopworkers, are expected to attend, as per an insider source.
Statistics indicate that the quantity of individuals employed under zero-hours contracts has escalated in the past decade, surpassing one million.
The government has maintained that the uncertainty associated with these contracts places workers in a precarious situation.
“It is unacceptable that a person on a zero-hours contract could have their shift canceled at the last minute while commuting to work,” remarked a government official.
Ministers are likely to clarify that the government does not plan to completely disallow zero-hours contracts, allowing students and caregivers to continue on such arrangements provided they receive guaranteed hours.
Over recent weeks, the government has conducted a series of roundtable discussions with business leaders, assuring that the private sector will be consulted on the reforms “at every stage.”
MakeUK and U Hospitality will also be present among the various business organizations participating in Wednesday’s discussions.
