An Oldham MP has called for stronger workers' rights for better pay and conditions amid soaring inflation, the cost-of-living crisis and what she has called a "real pay disaster".
Debbie Abrahams, who represents Oldham East and Saddleworth, has backed a report by the High Pay Centre (HPC) which argues for better support for workers over pay and conditions.
The report reveals around six in 10 (58 per cent) members of the public felt businesses ought to be delivering better pay and conditions for employees.
But the research found that less than one in five (18 per cent) felt that this was a top priority for businesses.
Instead, the public believed companies are more interested in generating higher profits for shareholders (54 per cent).
The representative poll of 1,104 people further found that 60 per cent believed that lower and middle-level employees don't have enough say in the running of the companies they work for.
The poll revealed eight in 10 (79 per cent) of people believe workers should have a greater say.
There was also strong public support for trade unions and worker representation on boards with 50 per cent of respondents claiming unions stimulate the UK economy by helping workers to achieve a better standard of living as opposed to 33 per cent who said they believed it made it harder for businesses to function.
In light of the research, the MP has backed the campaign to boost workers' rights and pay packets, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis.
Ms Abrahams said: "Prices are rising at the fastest rate for decades – and people are feeling the pinch when doing their weekly grocery shop and paying energy bills.
"That is why many workers, who haven’t seen their pay increase for years, are asking for a pay rise."
She pointed to further research from the Trade Union Congress (TUC) which found prices aren't rising because workers are getting pay rises but that inflation is being driven by high energy costs, propelled by the war in Ukraine and supply shortages related to the pandemic.
Ms Abrahams said domestic gas tariffs have nearly doubled in the year to September 2022 and that inflation is now rising by more than double the rate of pay growth.
She added: “By the end of this year, workers' real pay will be falling by a staggering 7.75 per cent.
"That’s on top of the longest wage squeeze for 200 years. This isn’t a wage-price spiral, it’s a real pay disaster.
“Strengthening workers’ voices in the workplace would not only improve working conditions, but would also serve to improve business decisions.
"The UK has one of the lowest levels of worker participation in company decision-making in Europe.
"We must do more to democratise workplaces and give people more agency over a significant part of their lives.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: “We know this is a difficult time for families which is why we’ve taken decisive action to shield households from soaring energy costs.
"This includes limiting the amount suppliers can charge through the Energy Price Guarantee, saving households £700 this winter and reducing bills by roughly a third.
“In addition, the Energy Bills Support Scheme is providing a £400 discount this winter to millions of households, and the most vulnerable will receive £1,200 each this year.
“The Government is determined to make work pay, which is why in April we increased the National Living Wage to £9.50, the largest ever increase since its introduction in 2016.”
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