Trade unions have declared victory as Labour bolstered a string of measures in its workers’ rights bill, amid criticism of the government from business groups saying there had been no “meaningful change” despite engagement.
Union sources said they were delighted there had been no watering down of any key measures in the employment rights bill, which will face its final vote in the Commons next week, after wrangling between ministers, unions and businesses.
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Unite, whose leadership has been deeply critical of Keir Starmer and had previously accused the government of watering down the bill, said the government had “listened and acted” to improve the bill in favour of workers.
The union’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “For decades, workers’ rights have been pushed down the agenda. This is the first time in a generation that workers’ rights have been taken seriously.”
The Unison general secretary, Christina McAnea, said huge improvements had been made to the bill and it was “what working people and decent employers have been waiting for”.
Unions delighted there has been no watering down of plans, which will apply to England, Scotland and Wales
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