Usdaw members appeal to MPs to vote for new protection of workers law

An amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was debated in committee last week, opposed by the government and withdrawn without a vote. Usdaw expects a similar protection of workers amendment to be debated during the report stage of the bill on Monday, so that all MPs can vote on it.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “Despite overwhelming evidence, the government has continued to refuse to support a specific law to protect workers, which is backed by many retailers and the cross-party Home Affairs Select Committee. So we are pleased that MPs will have the opportunity to vote on a protection of workers amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill on Monday.”

He added: “When retail employers, leading retail bodies and the shopworkers’ trade union jointly call for legislation, it is time for the government and MPs to listen. In Scotland, MSPs voted through a new ground-breaking law to give shopworkers the protection they deserve. We are now looking for MPs to support key workers across the retail sector and help turn around the UK government’s opposition.”

Usdaw has set up an ‘email your MP’ facility at: www.usdaw.org.uk/PCSCbill