The long awaited Taylor Review of employment practices suggests that a national strategy is needed to help provide security in such areas as wages, quality of employment, education and training, working conditions, work life balance and the ability to progress at work.
One of the areas of focus relates to the 'gig' economy, with the report recommending the creation of a new category of worker, known as a 'dependent contractor', to provide additional rights and benefits for those who are currently classed as self-employed, but who work for businesses which have a 'controlling and supervisory' relationship with their workers.
The additional benefits would include sick pay, holiday entitlement and the minimum wage, and the new employment status would also oblige these businesses to pay national insurance contributions for these workers.
Business groups have given mixed reactions to the report's findings, with many welcoming the focus on labour market flexibility, but also warning that some areas, including the plans to rewrite employment status tests, are a cause for concern.
However, the TUC warned that the review 'is not the game-changer needed to end insecurity and exploitation at work'
Internet link: Taylor Review