Inequality | Gov 'failing Black and Asian workers' with Employment Bill delay

Racial inequality in the workplace is likely to become further entrenched by the Government’s decision to delay the Employment Bill, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has warned.

The Independent reports that plans to introduce the legislation have been dropped from this month’s Queen’s Speech for the second consecutive year. Although the Government has not yet given a reason for this decision, the Conservative Party initially committed to introducing an Employment Bill in 2019; so far, this has yet to materialise.

The Employment Bill is intended to better protect workers’ rights, and includes a set of employment reforms including a day-one right to flexible working, more stable employment contracts for gig workers, and enhanced protection from dismissal for workers returning from maternity leave. As Frances O’Grady, head of the TUC points out, Black, Asian and mixed ethnicity workers (BME) are disproportionately affected by the kinds of inequalities in the workplace than the Employment Bill is designed to address

She said in the Independent: "Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity at work and to be paid a fair wage. But the discrimination that Black and minority ethnic (BME) workers face means they are far more likely to be trapped in low-paid and insecure work.