Taylor review response “like putting out forest fires with a water pistol” says GMB

Big change is needed, change that is backed up by law and proper penalties for breaking those laws, says GMB. 

GMB, Britain’s general union, has branded the Government’s response to the Taylor Review as ‘trying to put out a forest fire with a water pistol.’ The long-awaited review to Matthew Taylor’s review of modern working practices was finally published this week. Tim Roache, GMB General Secretary, said: “This report looks like a consummate guide to tinkering around the edges - like trying to put out a forest fire with a water pistol. “If the Government is serious about making life better for working people, giving workers the right to request that their bosses stop paying them poorly or treating them badly is an unfunny joke. “I can tell you the answer to those workers' 'requests' right now. It's a deafening no. “Abuse of agency contracts and insecure work is a deliberate business choice by employers who care about profit, not people. “Big change is needed, change that is backed up by law and proper penalties for breaking those laws. “Naming and shaming hasn't stopped companies robbing workers of the minimum wage. These are weak proposals, from a weak Government that has promised much but delivered little for workers.”