AN SNP MP has challenged the UK Government to publish a report that could potentially protect millions of workers against exploitative fire and re-hire tactics.
Last month, Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi told Parliament that “Acas has completed its work and shared its insight with officials” at BEIS.
SNP MP Gavin Newlands – who has been leading the campaign to ban the fire and re-hire practice – warned that further delays in releasing findings could result in workers currently on strike losing their jobs if they don’t accept reduced terms and conditions.
It comes against a backdrop of widespread concern at the use of the practice by companies like Centrica, British Airways and Heathrow Airport recently. Thousands of British Gas/Centrica workers have been told they have until March 25 to accept cuts to terms and conditions, or face redundancy.
Newlands said: “Since last month, the UK Government has been sitting on the findings of a review completed by Acas into the exploitative fire and re-hire practice.
“With thousands of workers across the UK – in the middle of a pandemic and economic crisis – unfairly forced by some employers to either accept reduced terms and conditions or face the sack, it is absolutely critical that the UK Government steps up and acts now.
“No worker should be forced into such a position.
“Given the delays, and the looming British Gas fire and re-hire deadline, I have now written to the Business Secretary calling on him to urgently publish the report and set out the steps being taken by his department to protect and strengthen workers’ rights.
“The current strike by British Gas workers could have been prevented months ago if the UK Government had adopted my bill banning fire and re-hire tactics. Beyond the warm words for workers, there has been no action from the UK Government.
“At a time when households have been pushed into hardship and many people have lost their jobs due to the pandemic, punishing workers by threatening them with the sack unless they accept reduced contract terms and working conditions is unacceptable.”
Newlands has urged the Government and opposition parties to now back a bill he has introduced to ban fire and re-hire tactics.
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