Jobs tsunami this summer?
Unite warns furlough changes could lead to lay-offs
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Among the mooted changes, expected to be rolled out from August 1, is that employers will be responsible for a contribution of up to 25 per cent of the scheme’s guaranteed pay. Unite is concerned that this could trigger some employers to simply sack workers, which is why the union is calling for flexible working patterns and a jobs creation programme to be introduced alongside furlough changes.
“Changes to the furlough scheme must be managed in such a way so as not to cause panic among employers and workers, said Steve Turner, Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing, on May 23.
“For some a loosening of lockdown could see a return to near normal, with workers returning full time. For many others though, that will not be the case and on-going support will be needed.”
Turner said that alongside continued financial support there will also need to be short-time working, job sharing and a regular rotation of the workforce to support social distancing and share the workload until demand is re-established and hours can be increased for all.
“We have argued for such flexibilities in the job retention scheme (JRS) since its introduction. We can guarantee that they will be welcomed by industry and workers alike so should be introduced without any delay.
“But,” he continued, “Our main fear is that introducing an employer contribution to the JRS before the economy has re-opened and confidence has been restored will lead to a tsunami of job losses over the coming weeks.
‘Few choices’
“While the worst employers will opportunistically sack workers and attack terms and conditions of employment, for the vast majority of good employers, where demand has crashed and cash flow is a serious and on-going concern, such a change now will leave them with few choices.
“In discussions with Treasury officials we are examining a variety of alternatives open to the chancellor,” Turner explained, “including lowering the monthly cap (currently £2,500 a month) and directing the money to needy workers as an alternative to the introduction of an employer contribution.”
Unite firmly believes that the best way for the chancellor to address his concerns is to get the economy open and safely operating at every level, putting millions currently furloughed back to work.
“Unite is calling for a National Council for Recovery, a national alliance of political and industrial leaders to develop, plan and deliver proposals to support the nation’s recovery and renewal in the immediate and longer-term,” he continued.
“There is a consensus across business and the trades unions that we can build our way through this to avert the worst of outcomes – but – we really need government to be a full partner in this process.”
By UNITElive team
