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Respect policies Employment Rights
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All materials published and promoted by L Smith, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU
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Short-term contracts,the outsourcing of work and the use of agency workers sit alongside the increasing harassment and victimisation of trade union representatives. These measures undermine trade union organisation, degrade working conditions, and generate low pay and precarious employment.
The British Airways and Gate Gourmet dispute shows just how the odds are now stacked in favour of the employers through the anti-union laws and the problems of solidarity action.
New Labour established a minimum wage, which was a step forward. But the level is completely inadequate and the gap between rich and poor continues to increase.
Respect calls for the minimum wage to be increased to £8 an hour – which is the
European Union’s (EU) decency threshold. This would lift millions of low paid workers out of poverty wages.
Under New Labour we have seen one of the worst developments in the British labour market for many years – the existence of tens of thousands of migrant workers who face superexploitation in agriculture, food processing and the building industry.
Their exploitation is fuelled by racist immigration policies. They work long hours for low pay – often in dangerous conditions. Many are trapped by immigration and asylum regulations and are prey to criminal gangs who exploit their situation.
It is time to call a halt to this process and reestablish workplace rights and decent wages and working conditions for all.
RESPECT CALLS FOR:
> Full rights in the workplace.
> The minimum wage to be raised to £8 an hour, which is the European Union Decency threshold.
> Ending of workplace discrimination on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender or lifestyle choices.
> Migrant workers and asylum seekers to have the right to work, with the full protection of employment laws and regulations.
> Full employment rights for all workers from day one.
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