Latest news with #PaulNowak
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Disabled staff face 'pervasive' abuse as poll shows offensive jokes and bullying
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) said disabled people are facing 'pervasive' mistreatment at work, including being the butt of offensive jokes and subjected to intrusive questioning Nearly four in ten (39%) disabled workers have experienced bullying, discrimination and harassment at work, grim polling shows today(TUE). The Trades Union Congress (TUC) warned disabled people are facing 'pervasive' mistreatment at work. This includes being the butt of offensive jokes or 'banter' and being subjected to intrusive questioning about their disability. Of those who had faced mistreatment at work, more than one in ten (15%) left their job and employer altogether. Another three in ten (28%) said that it made them want to leave their job but they were unable to due to financial or other reasons. Some 42% said the most recent incident had a negative impact on their mental health, while one in five (20%) had to take time off. According to the poll, commissioned by the TUC, some 15% of those who have been mistreated faced intrusive or offensive questioning about their disability. Some 14% have been made to feel uncomfortable at work due to their disability, including through stereotypes or assumptions about their disability, or had seen or heard offensive jokes or "banter" about disabled people. And 12% said that they had experienced bullying, including sustained patterns of intimidating or abusive behaviour, clearly linked to their disability. The TUC said Labour's Employment Rights Bill will introduce key protections for disabled workers to help tackle this 'shockingly high' mistreatment. The legislation, currently passing through the House of Lords, includes a clause requiring employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment of staff by third parties, such as customers and patients. Recent TUC polling shows that protecting workers from harassment is one of the most popular policies in the Bill – with almost eight in ten UK voters (78%) supporting it. The TUC has criticised the Tories and Reform UK, who it said 'have both mischaracterised the government's plans to protect workers from third-party harassment as an end to pub banter'. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: 'No one should face bullying, harassment or discrimination at work. But the number of disabled workers reporting that this is their everyday experience is shockingly high. It's time to stamp out this pervasive mistreatment. Disabled workers deserve dignity and respect at work like every other worker does.' ::: Opinium surveyed 1,000 disabled workers online between January 22 and February 4.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Keir Starmer told to reclaim the narrative on immigration
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak is urging the left to reclaim the progressive argument for a controlled migration policy, criticising both Keir Starmer 's recent statements and the dangerous and false claims of Nigel Farage and Reform. Nowak's intervention comes amid a heated debate on immigration, with Farage claiming Reform is the party of the workers and Starmer accusing Reform of economic plans that would cause a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown. Nowak calls for proper funding for the Fair Work Agency to combat exploitative employers and for a more humane asylum system that allows asylum seekers to work and contribute to the economy. He argues that the British public is not anti-immigration but anti-chaos, rejecting a system that feels unfair and out of control, with long waiting times for asylum cases and underinvestment in local services. Nowak advocates for solutions such as trialling humanitarian visas to allow people to apply for asylum legally from abroad, criticising cruel policies like the Rwanda plan.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Union boss warns Starmer over ‘echoing the right' on immigration
Britain's top union boss has issued a warning to Keir Starmer and the entire left of politics that they need to reclaim the narrative on the immigration debate in the face of the threat from Nigel Farage and Reform. Writing in the Independent, Paul Nowak, the secretary general of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), appears to both chide Sir Keir for his controversial speech on migration earlier this month, warning that the left 'should not be echoing the right'. In a week where the gloves have come off in the fight between Reform and Labour, Mr Nowak has urged the prime minister to confront the 'dangerous and false' claims of Farage. But, crucially, with chancellor Rachel Reeves trying to squeeze public finances in her spending review set to be published on 11 June, the union boss demanded that she finds the cash to properly fund the Fair Pay Agreement in social care and the Fair Work Agency which he believes are at the heart of part of the problems with immigration. His piece comes just days after Mr Farage gave a speech overtly targeting Labour and leftwing voters, claiming Reform is 'the party of the workers'. That speech was followed two days later by one from Sir Keir, accusing Reform of having economic plans which would cause 'a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown'. With battlelines drawn Mr Nowak, whose unions are Labour's biggest donors, has decided that the TUC needs to make its first intervention on the migration debate at the heart of Mr Farage's message to working class people. But in the piece the TUC official pointedly refers to care workers three times, a category that the prime minister has banned from getting work visas. But he also noted that the left should 'not compromise its values' and 'should treat everyone with dignity', saying the left 'should not be echoing the right'. It comes after the prime minister faced criticism for quoting the late rightwing Tory MP Enoch Powell's infamous 'rivers of blood' speech when he referred to ' an island of strangers'. An ally close to Mr Nowak insisted that his words were more aimed at 'offering leadership' rather than attacking the government. But the TUC secretary general's fiercest criticism for Mr Farage and Reform while not naming them directly. He said: 'The populist right has wasted no time in exploiting frustration —spreading baseless myths that blame migrant workers and asylum seekers for everything from cuts to the winter fuel allowance and disability support to the cost of living crisis. 'These claims are dangerous and false. But if the left doesn't offer serious, workable solutions, those lies will continue to fill the vacuum.' Mr Farage himself claimed that the attacks on him and his party were because they took a nine point lead in the polls this week and appeared to be on course to winning potentially the next general election. He said: 'They are in a state of blind panic. They don't know what to do.' However, Mr Nowak insisted that the British people 'are not anti-immigration, they are anti-chaos.' 'The British public hasn't turned its back on friends, co-workers, and neighbours from overseas— or on our proud tradition of offering sanctuary to people fleeing war and persecution,' he wrote. 'What they're rejecting is a system that often feels chaotic, unfair, and out of control. 'A system where those seeking asylum wait years in limbo while hotel costs spiral. Where rogue employers exploit migrant workers with impunity. And where local services—schools, hospitals, housing—have been so underinvested in that communities feel abandoned.' Instead the TUC secretary general wants to see proper funding for the Fair Work Agency which can end exploitative companies taking advantage of migrant labour. He said: 'Ministers must fully fund and properly empower the new Fair Work Agency. This body must have the teeth necessary to hold exploitative employers to account—particularly those who undercut wages and erode national labour standards by mistreating migrant workers.' He also called for a more 'humane' asylum system and said that those waiting to have their cases considered 'should be allowed to work and contribute to the economy.' He said: 'Keeping people trapped in poverty helps no one. Letting people work would allow them to contribute, pay taxes, and start to rebuild their lives. It would reduce pressure on public services and allow us too to benefit from the skills that those fleeing persecution can bring. 'A fair system doesn't mean gimmicks or cruel policies like the failed Rwanda plan. 'It means serious solutions like trialling humanitarian visas which would allow people to apply for asylum legally from abroad.'
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Millions of people in work to receive £117 pay rise in wages this month
The National Living Wage rise will see full-time workers earn up to £1,400 extra over the coming year. Millions of workers who received a pay in April, when the statutory minimum rates increased, will see the full uplift in their May payslips. The UK Government said more than three million workers across the country will benefit after the Chancellor announced the increase in her Autumn Budget last year. However, as most employers pay wages four weeks in arrears, it means people can expect a 'significant' boost this month. The National Living Wage increased for everyone employed aged 21 and over on April 1, giving a pay rise of up to £1,400 over the course of a year, based on a 35-hour working week Under the 6.7 per cent rise people are now being paid £12.21 an hour, 77p more than the 2024/25 living wage of £11.44. Full-time workers can expect to make £26 more a week, and £117 more a month. The National Minimum Wage, which covers those aged 21 or under, has risen to £10 an hour for 18 to 20-year-olds - a 16.3 per cent rise, and to £7.55 for 16 and 17-year-olds - an 18 per cent increase. Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the change as a 'significant step' in the UK Government reaching their manifesto pledge of a 'genuine living wage for working people'. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak told the PA news agency: 'This increase will make a real difference to the lowest paid in this country at a time when one in six are skipping meals to get by. 'Setting out a path to end the outdated and unfair youth rates will give young workers a boost up and down the country. 'More money in working people's pockets means more spending on our high streets - that's good for workers and good for local economies.' Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: 'Making work pay is vital to recharge the economy and help hard-pressed families walk a financial tightrope. 'A decent minimum wage rise gives low-paid workers greater spending power, which they can spend on their local high streets. That can help boost growth and get the UK back on track.' Rachel Harrison, GMB national secretary, said: 'A much-needed wage rise for millions of low-paid workers is welcome. 'But in care homes, schools, the NHS, and so many other employers, workers are still not getting the levels of pay they deserve. 'It's time that people doing some of the most important jobs in our society start getting proper recognition – starting with decent pay.' Campaigners pointed out that the rates were still below the voluntary so-called real living wage of £12.60 an hour and £13.85 in London, which applies to all workers aged 18 and over. More than 15,000 businesses are accredited to the Living Wage Foundation, which sets the voluntary rates. The shopworkers union Usdaw announced that its members in Asda Express, Foodservice and Leon will be paid the voluntary rate by October. Baroness Philippa Stroud, who chairs the Low Pay Commission, said: 'These rates secure a real-terms pay increase for the lowest-paid workers. 'Young workers will also see substantial increases in their pay floor, making up some of the ground lost against the adult rate over time. 'We recognise these increases come at a time when employers are facing increasing pressure and it is vital we monitor and assess how businesses are responding. 'As we build our evidence base for future recommendations to the Government, we will be launching a call for evidence in the coming weeks and holding in-person meetings up and down the country. I encourage all interested parties to get in touch with us.'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More than one in four workers worried about AI
More than one in four workers are worried that artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to job losses, according to a new survey. A poll of more than 1,000 workers by the conciliation service Acas also found that almost one in five were worried about AI making errors, while 15% were concerned about a lack of regulation. Acas interim chief executive Dan Ellis said: 'Some employers may be looking to embrace new technologies as a way to cut costs, increase productivity or make workers' jobs easier. 'There can be concerns from staff when new technologies are introduced at work and it's clear from our study that their biggest worry is that AI will result in job losses. 'Bosses should have clear policies on the use of AI at work, remember that it is not a perfect technology, and have open conversations with employees around its use.' Acas said firms investing in AI should highlight how it can improve employees' roles and reassure staff that human involvement will still be needed. Acas said 26% of those surveyed were worried that artificial intelligence will lead to job losses. UC general secretary Paul Nowak said: 'Workers are understandably concerned about job losses from AI and automation, but unmanaged disruption is not inevitable or acceptable. 'It's vital that workers and unions are put front and centre when it comes to the use of AI at work. 'That means full consultation and transparency – and workers benefiting from the digital dividend that AI can bring. 'No one understands better than the workers themselves how AI could enhance their work. 'AI can bring huge gains to the world of work if it is developed and rolled out in partnership with working people.' Recruitment and Employment Confederation chief executive Neil Carberry said: 'AI will transform the job market, but history shows technology creates new opportunities even as it disrupts existing roles. Instead of fearing change, we must focus on new skills for workers and preparing for the jobs of tomorrow. 'That the new Skills England body wants to collaborate with employers and providers on digital upskilling of people is exactly the proactive response we need if we are to have any chance of the UK as an AI superpower. 'By embracing AI as a tool, we can ensure that workers thrive alongside technology, not compete with it.' Sign in to access your portfolio
