A letter has been published by Young Women’s Trust, alongside unions, think tanks and other charities calling on MPs to reject amendments made to government legalisation that could leave many workers in danger of continued exploitation and financial insecurity.
In the letter, organisations including the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Work Foundation, Pregnant then Screwed, Women’s Budget Group and Fawcett Society warn that if the amendments – which mean workers will have to request guaranteed hours, instead of if being the responsibility of the employer to offer – are passed, the entire Employment Rights Bill is at risk of being watered down.
In reality, the changes proposed would leave thousands of workers – particularly women, racially minoritised, disabled and younger workers – having to fight for their right to security.
Research from the charity shows that passing the responsibility to workers is likely to mean that many will miss out on their promised rights. Nearly half (45%) of young women – who are disproportionately likely to be on zero hours contracts – said that they have already put up with unfair treatment whilst working in insecure work because they were worried about not getting the hours they needed if they challenged it.
Furthermore, many young women don’t know what they’re entitled to in the first place with almost half (48%) of those in insecure jobs saying that they are not aware of their rights. This demonstrates a severe lack of much-needed communication and education about worker’s rights, and represents a significant barrier to many workers in accessing their entitlements.
Claire Reindorp, chief executive at Young Women’s Trust, said: “We are coming together with our partners who are fighting for stronger rights in the workplace to urge MPs to take action. This amendment completely undermines the government’s promise to upgrade worker’s rights and shifts the balance back firmly to the employer – a power that has been exploited by rogue bosses for far too long. In no world should a worker have to beg their boss for a secure contract and this is what it would come down to.
“We know that young women are more likely to be working on insecure contracts and are already feeling trapped, unable to plan for their futures and scared of speaking up for their rights for fear of losing the shifts they desperately need. We must not squander this opportunity to transform the lives of thousands of workers across the country.”
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Notes to editors
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About Young Women’s Trust:
Young Women’s Trust champions young women aged 18 to 30 on low or no pay. We’re here to create a more equal world of work and raise young women’s incomes.
We offer young women free coaching, feedback on job applications and information to help them get where they want to be. We bring together a thousands-strong network to support each other, build their self-belief, and have their voices heard. We work with young women and anyone who experiences misogyny and sexism to campaign for equality in the workplace. And our research provides insight into what young women’s lives are really like, fuelling our campaigns for change.