Workers’ rights reform opponents are on the wrong side of history, unions have argued following a backlash from employers. 

Firing a warning shot as ministers prepare to debate Angela Rayner’s flagship workers rights overhaul today, the head of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Paul Nowak has “urged MPs from all parties to support this bill and to be on the right side of history”. 

He added that he hopes “employers also recognise that these reforms will protect good businesses from being undercut by the bad.”

The reforms, which have been described by the Government as the “biggest upgrade” to workers’ rights in a generation, consist of 28 new measures including an end to so-called exploitative zero-hours contracts and extra employment rights for staff from day one in a job. 

Despite warnings from employers that the plans could burden small businesses and impact hiring, Mr Nowak has warned politicians to act in the “best interest of working people” as they prepare to scrutinise the Employment Rights Bill for the first time today. 

“The Conservatives voted against the introduction of the minimum wage in 1998 - one of the great policy successes of recent times,” Mr Nowak argued. 

“I hope today MPs across the political spectrum recognise that a vote for the Bill is a vote in the best interests of working people. We have too many people in jobs that offer them little or no security. It is vital parliament improves the quality of employment in this country.” 

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