As part of its Make Work Pay plan, the government commitments include to:
- Ban exploitative zero hours contracts
- End fire and rehire
- Introduce basic rights from day one to parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal
- Strengthen the collective voice of workers, including through their trade unions, and create a Single Enforcement Body to ensure employment rights are upheld
The Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary convened a meeting with trade unions and business leaders this week in a first-of-its-kind meeting. It was agreed to wipe the slate clean and begin a new relationship of respect and collaboration to help deliver the government’s first mission which is to kickstart economic growth.
The government’s plans acknowledge that a boost to workers’ rights will help get the national economy back on track. It will be a driver for higher productivity and higher wages, and when workers have more money to spend, businesses and services have the customers they need to grow.
Paul Day, PDA Union Director said, “Improved rights at work and a stronger economy matter to pharmacists and to their families. However, it is not just what is intended that should be welcomed but also how it is to be developed.
We welcome the fresh approach of a government that gives a voice to workers and business. This tripartite approach, realising the benefits of government working constructively with both employer and employee representatives to develop and implement better outcomes needs to be echoed across pharmacy too. The weaknesses of arrangements where government only engage with the employer side need to be left in the past, where they belong.
The PDA now has more than half of the UK pharmacist population in its membership and can speak from their experience and in their interests.”
Note: The PDA is politically neutral and works positively with the government and opposition parties in all four UK nations.
Learn more
- Business leaders and unions to work hand in hand to deliver new plans to Make Work Pay
- GDP: Government plans for public investment can put economy “back in the fast line”
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