Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP
The Peak - Alistair Darling MP
9 January 2008
Amid the preparations for last year’s Christmas festivities the government signalled its intention to tighten the screw on rogue employers who consistently take advantage of vulnerable workers.
The Employment Bill, a tremendously important piece of legislation, will make it more difficult for employers to flout the workplace standards introduced by the government in 1997.
Penalties for the non-payment of the National Minimum Wage, which for adults aged 22 and over is now £5.52 (it is almost incredible to believe that when we came to power there was no minimum wage, and unscrupulous employers got off with paying, in some cases £1.00 an hour) will be simplified and there will be a fairer method of calculating arrears for underpaid workers. The government sets great store by the right of workers to be paid fairly so everyone who is caught not paying their workers can be sure they will be punished, with the potential for unlimited fines for persistent and determined non-payment. And not only do we think that workers should be protected but we think rogue employers should not be allowed to get away with unfairly undercutting honest and legitimate operators by exploiting workers in contravention of the law.
The legislation will also crack down on the abuses occurring in the agency work sector such as unfair fees and the practices of bogus talent agencies.
We have also proposed to simplify the workplace grievance procedures which are at present too bureaucratic and burdensome for employees and employers alike. The new system should enable more cases to be resolved informally, saving time and money.
Legislation is never going to be the answer to all our problems but even in the 21st century it is absolutely essential to enshrine workers’ rights in law, and we shall continue to strengthen the employment rights of workers in this country.
Parliamentary procedure allowing the Employment Bill will become law later this year. That should be a cause for celebration.
I wish you all a Happy New Year.
