New plans for workers rights’ won’t shift balance of power in the gig economy, says TUC

TUC warns that platform companies are being let off the hook 

Commenting on today’s (Monday) announcement on workers’ rights by the government, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: 

“Scrapping the agency worker loophole is a victory for union campaigning. It was an Undercutters’ Charter. 

“But these reforms as a whole won’t shift the balance of power in the gig economy. 

“Unless unions get the right to organise and bargain for workers in places like Uber and Amazon, too many working people will continue to be treated like disposable labour. 

“The right to request guaranteed working hours is no right all. Zero-hours contract workers will have no more leverage than Oliver Twist. 

“And the government’s plans to introduce new laws on employment status risk unpicking important legal victories for workers and letting platform companies off the hook.”