Valerie supports legislation to end fire and rehire

On Wednesday 16 June 2021 the Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) Bill received its First Reading in the House of Commons. I am supporting this Private Members Bill, which seeks to amend the law to provide safeguards for workers against dismissal and re-engagement on inferior terms and conditions, known as ‘fire and rehire’. 

Fire and re-hire tactics enforce contractual changes by sacking and then re-engaging workers on inferior pay and conditions. Employers who use these tactics exploit the uncertainty of job security in the pandemic to manipulate workers into taking worse terms. The Prime Minister has described fire and rehire as ‘unacceptable’, but action is needed to amend the law. 

As the country recovers from the pandemic, we need a new deal for workers that includes secure contracts and a ban on ‘fire and rehire’. The best way to thank key workers is to ensure fairness at work.

The long title of the Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) Bill is: 

“A Bill to amend the law relating to workplace information and consultation, employment protection and trade union rights to provide safeguards for workers against dismissal and re-engagement on inferior terms and conditions; and for connected purposes.”