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Commenting on today’s (Tuesday) labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics – which show real wages up 0.5% – TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

Commenting on today’s (Tuesday) labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics – which show real wages up 0.5% – TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:  

“Workers have suffered the longest pay squeeze in 200 years. Families can’t make ends meet without being forced into the red. And the May government has done nothing to get wages rising or to tackle the epidemic of insecure work. 

“That’s why this week Congress is calling for a new deal for workers. The Prime Minister must crack down on insecure work, ending unfair pay for agency workers and banning zero-hours contracts. And raise the minimum wage to £10 as quickly as possible.  

“Unions are fighting hard to get workers better pay, but the government should also give unions the right to go into every workplace and negotiate with employers for fair pay rises.”  

Editors note

- Congress 2018 will be held in Manchester Central from Sunday 9 September to Wednesday 12 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/applying-media-or-external-visitor-credentials and completing an online form. Applications must be in by noon on Tuesday 28 August. Any received later than that will be processed in Manchester and will cost £75. 
- The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.5 million working people who make up our 49 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living. 

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