Karin Smyth MP votes to protect holiday pay and 48-hour weekly working limit
Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South, has voted to protect holiday pay entitlements and safe working limits following the Government’s admission that employment protections are being reviewed to see which to scrap and which to keep.
The Government will be consulting on changes to employment rights that could result in the ending of inclusion of overtime in how holiday pay is calculated, leaving workers hundreds of pounds out of pocket; a longer working week with no legal cap on the number of hours employers can make their employees work; and the end to the legal right to rest breaks at work.
The Government refused to support Labour’s motion which called on the Government to specifically rule out any changes to the 48-hour working week, rest breaks at work, or holiday entitlements, and to outlaw fire and rehire tactics.
Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South, said:
“This last year has seen workers facing great hardship and businesses struggling to stay afloat, yet the Government have been consulting on changes which would leave families in Bristol South even worse off by losing out on holiday pay and working longer hours.
“Scrapping rules that will reduce the pay workers are entitled to whilst on holiday is no way to thank our key workers. After sacrificing so much during the pandemic, this is not what they deserve.
“The Government is exposing its true colours once again by putting the needs of working people and their families last. They must think again and keep their promise to maintain employment rights.”