Unite has ramped up calls for employment laws to be devolved to Scotland, with Sharon Graham, the union’s General Secretary, warning that Labour cannot be trusted not to backtrack further on workers rights.
The union — one of Labour's biggest donors — tabled a motion at the Trade Union Congress in Liverpool demanding powers be transferred to Holyrood.
It was backed overwhelmingly on Monday afternoon, with trade unions from across the UK voting in favour of adopting the proposal.
Last month, Angela Rayner, the party’s deputy leader, ruled out calls for further devolution, saying it would be unnecessary as the party’s “new deal” for workers would see employment law across the whole of the United Kingdom “uplifted and better.”
However, the party has partially rowed back on some of the initial policies in that new deal.
In a bid to tackle gig economy abuse, Labour had been planning to create a single “worker” status for all but the genuinely self-employed.
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This would ensure the same rights for everyone regardless of sector, wage or type of contract.
But the party’s National Policy Forum said they would instead consult on this policy after entering government.
They also tweaked their “day one” proposals on sick pay, parental leave and unfair dismissal.
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