Received from: Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
Congress notes with deep concern the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on employment across the UK. In sectors such as retail, the pandemic has accelerated existing trends, with at least 180,000 retail jobs lost in 2020 and up to 200,000 at risk in 2021.
Congress further notes that the devastating impact of redundancy is worsened by the current lack of adequate rights to support and training opportunities. This has a disproportionate impact on Black and minority ethnic workers, young workers, women, disabled workers and those with caring responsibilities.
Congress calls for the immediate implementation of the following provisions to assist all workers facing redundancy and for the TUC to urgently campaign for the introduction of these measures including:
i. a 90-day statutory period of redundancy consultation where more than 100 individuals are at risk of redundancy
ii. a personal retraining budget for all workers given notice of redundancy to ensure the best chance of re-entering the workplace as soon as possible
iii. a significant increase in statutory redundancy pay, so that all workers are entitled to three weeks’ pay for each year of service
iv. closing the loophole where, in locations with less than 20 employees, employees are not entitled to redundancy consultation, even where the decision affects more than 20 people
v. strengthening protection against redundancy and health and safety rights for pregnant women and new mothers.
Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers