Keir Starmer slammed for ‘bowing to corporate interests’ in newest coverage u-turn
Labour chief Keir Starmer has flip-flopped as soon as once more, watering down Labour’s coverage on employees’ rights.
Sir Keir has reportedly diluted his pledge to extend protections for individuals working within the ‘gig economy’, amid a push by Labour HQ to woo rich enterprise donors and company leaders.
A textual content agreed ultimately month’s National Policy Forum, which can type the idea of Labour’s 2024 manifesto, has been watered down from that agreed in 2021.
Instead of introducing a direct coverage to abolish gig economic system employees, Labour will now merely seek the advice of on the proposal in Government, contemplating how a “simpler framework” may “properly capture the breadth of employment relationships in the UK”.
The coverage now leaves open the choice of retaining the gig economic system sector, one thing even Ed Miliband promised to abolish in 2015, saying the overview will guarantee employees can nonetheless “benefit from flexible working where they choose to do so”.
The social gathering has additionally backtracked on a pledge to introduce “basic individual rights from day one for all workers”, together with sick pay, parental go away and safety towards unfair dismissal.
Employees will now should work by way of a probationary interval earlier than being entitled to such rights, albeit with “transparent rules and processes”.
The doc, seen by the Financial Times, additionally confirmed companies will retain the correct underneath a Keir Starmer Government to pretty dismiss employees on the grounds of functionality, conduct or redundancy.
Unite, Britain’s largest commerce union and a significant donor to Labour, gave a “thumbs down” to the coverage when it was agreed on the National Policy Forum, refusing to again it.
The hard-left Momentum group of Labour activists has slammed Sir Keir’s newest flip-flop, saying it’s “wrong to water down its commitment on a single tier of status for workers”.
They additionally accused the Labour Party management of bowing to “corporate interests”.
A Labour spokesman stated: “Labour are listening to business and unions to make sure we’ve got credible plans on the economy.”
Labour, in particular Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, have been pushing to woo over major corporate backers and donors to make the party more competitive with the Tories.
Party insiders have referred to the wining and dining mission as the “smoked salmon and scrambled egg” offensive.
It was just lately revealed Labour’s 2024 enterprise convention in January is charging as much as £50,000 plus VAT for tickets.
The occasion will “showcase Labour’s offer to business as well as our commitment to work hand in glove with the business community to deliver the highest sustained growth in the G7”.