Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers are under fire for attempting to weaken workers’ rights reforms in Labour’s employment bill. Critics accuse the Lords of siding with business leaders to water down key protections. Last week, the House of Lords passed amendments that undermine Labour’s pledge to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts. The changes shift responsibility from employers to workers, requiring staff to request guaranteed hours instead.
Additionally, the Lords extended unfair dismissal protections from two years to six months, delaying Labour’s promised “day-one” rights. Trade union freedoms were also restricted in the revised bill. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak slammed the amendments, calling the Lords “bad bosses’ allies.” He argued that unelected peers are blocking workers’ rights reforms that enjoy broad public support.
A TUC poll of 21,000 voters found most Britons including Tory and Reform UK supporters back banning zero-hours contracts. Nowak urged the government to reject the Lords’ changes when the bill returns to the Commons in September. Employer organizations praised the revisions, claiming they protect jobs and flexibility. Helen Dickinson of the British Retail Consortium said the changes help safeguard part-time and entry-level roles.
However, unions warn that businesses are exaggerating economic risks. They argue stronger workers’ rights reforms would boost productivity and reduce workplace insecurity. The bill now enters parliamentary “ping-pong,” where MPs and peers negotiate final wording. Labour faces pressure to stand firm, while business leaders push for further concessions.
With public opinion favoring stronger protections, the government must decide whether to compromise or challenge the Lords head-on. The outcome will shape the future of UK employment law and millions of workers’ lives.
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