Some coverage this morning of the Government's so-called Good Work report which you can read here (gov.uk/government/pub…). /1
The headline is, this is modest stuff. If you look beyond the rhetoric there is no recognition that the labour market isn't working for those in low paid or precarious work. It chooses to prioritise the creation of poor quality jobs over the lives of those working in them. /2
But there are a few points worthy of note.
The advantage of 'flexibility' for employers is that it transfers risk and cost to workers. A higher minimum wage for those workers (something I've argued for in the past) might compensate for that transfer. Nothing is happening yet. /3
The advantage of 'flexibility' for employers is that it transfers risk and cost to workers. A higher minimum wage for those workers (something I've argued for in the past) might compensate for that transfer. Nothing is happening yet. /3
This would be radical stuff - and is long overdue. The test for employment status lies at the heart of how we allocate burdens between employer/individual/state. Our test is antiquated and not fit for the modern world.
But will it happen? I am *deeply* sceptical. /4
But will it happen? I am *deeply* sceptical. /4
This is how Govt tends to 'solve' problems. It legislates to increase obligations on agencies to secure enforcement. Legislating is cheap and easy. But often those agencies are led by those who don't want to upset the applecart and are poorly funded. Nothing changes. /5
Same again. There is no real problem with the law on internships. What there is is widespread non-compliance with the law, a failure to enforce it by HMRC, and a system which fails adequately to disincentivise non-compliance.
But there's no more money for HMRC enforcement. /6
But there's no more money for HMRC enforcement. /6
Same point. Of the ground-breaking cases that have been brought to extend minimum wage protection to workers in the gig economy how many has HMRC brought? None. Indeed it has refused to act to enforce their consequences. HMRC is led by those reluctant to upset the applecart. /7
Final point.
The key to understanding the growth of the precariat is that our tax law incentivises employers to transfer worker protection burdens to the worker and the state. Yes, you read that right. It's madness. But the Government is not going to tackle that problem. /ENDS
The key to understanding the growth of the precariat is that our tax law incentivises employers to transfer worker protection burdens to the worker and the state. Yes, you read that right. It's madness. But the Government is not going to tackle that problem. /ENDS
