Responding to the publication of a key consultation on the Guaranteed Hours proposal, Neil Carberry, Chief Executive, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), said:
“Getting these proposals wrong would be a disaster for workers, with unemployment rising and youth unemployment a particularly worrying challenge.
“It is disappointing that the government has drifted so far from the original proposals agreed by businesses and unions in the Low Pay Commission, towards something that pleases the unions but will damage work opportunities for vulnerable workers, especially those who need flexible work.
“The open questions in this consultation must signal a change of approach towards working in partnership with employers as well as unions. Despite commitments given last autumn, there has been little evidence of government taking business concerns on the cost of employment seriously enough, with predictable results starting to emerge in monthly labour market figures.”
