Nearly 30,000 people have called on the government to address their deep concerns about pay and rights of a growing number of workers who find themselves in increasingly insecure employment.
Usdaw’s ‘time for better pay’ petition on the UK Government website is calling on the Government to strengthen workers’ rights by introducing a minimum wage rate of at least £10 per hour for all workers, an end to zero-hours contracts and a minimum contract of 16 hours per week for everyone who wants one.
Usdaw’s survey of over 10,000 working people asked about their experiences of low pay, short hours contracts and insecure work and showed that stronger employment rights are urgently needed.
Over the past five years, more than nine out of ten of those surveyed have seen no improvement in their financial situation and over the past year three quarters of low-paid workers have had to rely on unsecured borrowing to pay everyday bills. Nearly two thirds of people believe that financial worries are having an impact on their mental health.
The union were disappointed with the Government’s response at 10,000 signatures so have set their sights on securing a parliamentary debate. To do that, they need 100,000 people to support their campaign so they are asking all who agree that workers deserve better pay and rights to sign the petition and share it with friends, family and colleagues.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says:
The ‘time for better pay’ petition was launched to end job insecurity and help working people make ends meet. Usdaw’s research has shown that the so called ‘National Living Wage’ does not live up to its name. Our survey identified that 54% of low paid workers are regularly having to miss meals just to pay the bills.
It was clear that we have to push on for the 100,000 signatures that would provide the opportunity for the petition to be debated in the House of Commons. Our aim is to persuade MPs to back £10 an hour and more secure contracts, which would boost minimum wage workers’ full-time pay by a much needed £2,640 a year.
Usdaw’s ‘time for better pay’ campaign is calling on the Government to tackle low pay and insecure work. We need real and urgent improvements to workers’ rights to deliver an economy that works for all working people.
You can find more information and join Usdaw here
Twitter @UsdawUnion
Photo: Usdaw