Gwent’s Labour MPs have united to call on the UK Government to take action to end the use of ‘fire and rehire’ tactics.

Oct 25, 2021

A poll published by the TUC reveals that 9% of British workers – almost 3million -have been subjected to these tactics since the first lockdown last March; with employers telling staff to reapply for their jobs on worse terms and conditions.

MPs Chris Evans (Islwyn), Ruth Jones (Newport West), Jessica Morden (Newport East), Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) and Nick Thomas-Symonds (Torfaen) were in parliament today to support fellow Labour MP Barry Gardiner’s  Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) Bill, which aimed to bring an end to companies using ‘fire and rehire’ as a negotiating tactic.

Despite a spokesperson for the Prime Minister saying that fire and rehire was “completely unacceptable as a negotiating tactic”, the bill brought forward was blocked by the government in parliament today, with Conservative MPs voting against the possibility taking the legislation to a formal vote via a closure motion.

Newport East MP Jessica Morden said “When we should be building a fairer society out of the covid crisis, unscrupulous bosses are being given a green light to intimidate workers into accepting worse pay and conditions. It needs to stop, and it’s really disappointing that the government chose not to act today”

Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith said “I backed the bill to end the dreadful practice of Fire and Rehire. This aggressive negotiating tactic puts workers under tremendous financial and mental pressure, it is completely unacceptable and we need urgent action to tackle it.”

Newport West MP Ruth Jones said “We must not forget that 70% of the companies deploying these cruel fire and rehire tactics are profit making companies – it’s a disgrace. Workers should not be faced by this cruel trick, and they have been let down by the government today.”

Torfaen MP and Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said “I supported this bill to end the exploitative practice of Fire and Rehire. No worker should be subjected to it and it should be outlawed.”

Islwyn MP Chris Evans said “Companies should not be allowed to treat their staff this way without consequences. It’s disappointing that the government has not used today’s bill as a vehicle to outlaw this pernicious practice.”

 

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