The Liberal Democrats are facing criticism for allegedly obstructing a significant bill aimed at providing sick pay benefits to seven million workers. Paul Nowak, the head of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), is expected to accuse the party led by Sir Ed Davey of delaying the progress of Labour’s Employment Rights Bill in the House of Lords, going against their own stated commitments.
During a speech at the Co-operative Party conference, Nowak will condemn both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives for causing delays in passing crucial legislation. He will emphasize the importance of the reforms, highlighting that seven million individuals are poised to receive day one sick pay starting next April as part of the proposed bill.
Nowak is set to assert that the Lords should support the bill to honor government promises made to the public. He stresses that blocking the legislation could result in public backlash, urging Liberal Democrat peers to cease introducing contentious amendments and wasting valuable time.
The proposed bill, upon receiving Royal Assent, will introduce various new rights for workers, including flexible working arrangements, protection against sexual harassment, an end to the practice of fire rehiring, a repeal of anti-union laws, and a prohibition on zero-hour contracts. It also includes provisions for unions to access workplaces, gain recognition, and advocate for workers.
According to the TUC, there are over one million individuals in the UK engaged in zero-hour contracts, with a substantial portion of the workforce facing job insecurity. Research indicates that insecure work is prevalent across the UK, adversely affecting both workers and the economy.
Insecure work is defined by the TUC as encompassing individuals on zero-hour contracts, agency workers, casual and seasonal employees (excluding those on fixed-term contracts), and low-paid self-employed individuals lacking essential rights and protections. The prevalence of insecure work notably increased under the Conservative government, with a rise of 800,000 individuals experiencing such conditions between 2011 and 2024.
When approached for comment, the Liberal Democrats declined to provide a response.
