Politically, it means that the prime minister will continue to look powerless and possibly even complacent in the face of what he himself describes as “scandalous” behaviour by the company. Without some tangible success he risks looking weak and reluctant to take decisive action to protect workers’ rights, never a particularly strong suit for his party.
Yet, at Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday he was at it again. Johnson made a meal of quoting section 194 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act of 1992 and the 1996 Employment Rights Act: “It looks to me as though the company concerned has broken the law, and we will be taking action, therefore, and we will be encouraging workers themselves to take action.” According to the prime minister, the fines might amount to “millions of pounds”. There will also be an extension of rights and the living wage to the British “exclusive economic zone” is promised (which implies the current law does indeed not protect the ex-P&O staff).
This story is from the March 24, 2022 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 24, 2022 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Klopp has put the success into Liverpool succession.
The German leaves Anfield at the end of the season but tells Richard Jolly his project won't die once Arne Slot takes over
Ipswich on the up thanks to McKenna's drive to succeed
All the next great managers tend to be described in the same way: obsessive, a perfectionist, a details guy with a personal touch who always remembers the kit man's birthday.
Angeball tests faith of Spurs fans as 'bigger issues' raised
Even with a microphone in front of him, Ange Postecoglou was barely audible as the Tottenham manager slumped into the press conference room at Stamford Bridge and took responsibility for his side's third defeat in a row. \"I feel like we've lost a bit of belief and conviction in our football and that is on me to change that,\" Postecoglou mumbled, head bowed. \"We were nowhere near good enough.\"
Race is on for a Red Bull shake-up after Newey quits
Verstappen still favourite to win as drivers roll into Miami
Shame on Freeman for doing what every veggie dreams of
I was sitting in a restaurant in New York with my partner. The Brooklyn Bridge lit up behind us, we'd been drinking flat, $9 Stella Artois that is inexplicably passed off as chic over there, and needed some food before carrying on into the night.
The local elections show the Blairite approach is working
The Conservatives have done about as badly in the local elections as you would expect, given that they are 20 points behind Labour in the national opinion polls. Ben Houchen's win as mayor of Tees Valley is notable not because the Tories are doing better than expected, but because his personal popularity is sufficient to withstand the national anti-Tory tide.
It's about time the Murdoch operation is held to account
Let's imagine a bank - an ethically challenged one. Its staff have been accused of widespread criminality. It first tries to lie about it all, but that doesn't matter too much because the police and regulator conveniently turn a blind eye. MPs run for cover; the media shrugs.
China probe will bring back pieces of the moon's far side
China has launched a probe that will fly to the far side of the moon and bring pieces of it back to Earth. The Chang'e-6 probe aims to help us better understand the distant side of the lunar surface. The area is hard to explore because it is cut off from radio communications with Earth - but it could be a key resource for work such as radio astronomy, since it is shielded from interference from our own planet.
Civilians face 'slaughter' if Israel launches Rafah attack
UN official warns of 'incredible blow' to Gaza aid operation
Hicks breaks down at Trump hush-money trial
A chief aide who gave voice to Donald Trump's chaotic 2016 campaign for the presidency broke down in tears on the witness stand yesterday in his hush-money trial, moments after she testified about payments to an adult film star whose allegations threatened to derail his campaign.
