The Manifesto for Labour Law and the Labour Party
The Manifesto for Labour Law was initially developed in response to a Labour Party consultation and key proposals from the IER have been adopted by Labour since 2016.
As we prepare for power, we thank the IER for informing the debate around workers’ rights, and look forward to reforming today's unfair labour laws, for a brighter future.
The Labour Party has adopted several key recommendations from the Manifesto for Labour Law, which Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has promised will be the “blueprint” for the workers’ rights policies of the next Labour government.
Among the Manifesto proposals announced by the Labour Party are:
- the establishment of a Ministry of Labour;
- the reinstatement of sectoral collective bargaining;
- stronger trade union rights to recognition and access to workplaces;
- a Real Living Wage;
- equal rights for all workers from day one;
- the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016
These policies were included in the 2017 Labour Party Manifesto For the many, not the few, and the Party has since appointed a Shadow Minister of Labour – Laura Pidcock – who asked the Institute of Employment Rights to consult on the establishment of a Ministry of Labour and new legislation it could bring forth.
we are considering how key proposals from the Institute of Employment Rights’ Manifesto for Labour Law can be implemented in order to create a future in which everyone has access to decent work, for decent pay; and in which employers and workers can work together to create a stronger economy that works for us all.
Accordion will be
Timeline:
- July 2016 – John McDonnell welcomes the Manifesto for Labour Law
The Shadow Chancellor attended the launch of the Manifesto for Labour Law at Westminster, where he welcomed the report and promised to make it a blueprint of Labour Party workers’ rights policy.
- July 2016 – Jeremy Corbyn helps launch the Manifesto for Labour Law to trade unionists at the Durham Miners’ Gala
Jeremy Corbyn spoke at the Institute of Employment Rights’ fringe meeting at the Durham Miners’ Gala, where our Chair John Hendy QC and President Professor Keith Ewing detailed the IER’s recommendations.
- September 2016 – John McDonnell promises to implement the Manifesto for Labour Law
In his key speech to the Labour Party Conference, John McDonnell said he would look to implement the recommendations of the Manifesto for Labour Law.
- May 2017 – Key recommendations from the Manifesto for Labour Law are included in the Labour Party’s Manifesto For the many, not the few
These included the establishment of a Ministry of Labour; the reinstatement of sectoral collective bargaining; stronger trade union rights to recognition and access to workplaces; a Real Living Wage; equal rights for all workers from day one; the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016.
- January 2018 – the Labour Party appoints a Shadow Minister of Labour
The post was give to Laura Pidcock, who began laying the groundwork for a future Ministry of Labour.
- September 2018 – Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Shadow Minister for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Rebecca Long-Bailey welcome the second edition of the Manifesto for Labour Law – Rolling out the Manifesto for Labour Law
Both policymakers made videos recording their support for the IER’s recommendations and spoke at the launch for the publication at the annual conference of the Trades Union Congress.
- September 2019 – Shadow Minister for Labour, Laura Pidcock, thanks experts the IER for informing her work on establishing a new Ministry of Labour
The IER published its Guide to a progressive Industrial Relations Bill based upon its proposals for legislation that a Ministry of Labour should put forth.
the Labour Party will make it our priority to rebalance legislation to ensure that there is appropriate, proportional and robust support for the UK’s 31 million workers and businesses alike, drawing upon the IER’s Manifesto for Labour Law to strengthen statutory rights and prevent exploitation
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Where we are
The Institute of Employment Rights is currently consulting on the drafting of a new Industrial Relations Bill at the request of the Labour Party.