This is the last article you can read this month
You can read more article this month
You can read more articles this month
Sorry your limit is up for this month
Reset on:
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here
THE government risks sleepwalking Britain into mass unemployment and poverty if it fails to improve financial support for those on low incomes, the TUC warns in a statement published today.
The trade union confederation is calling on the government to do more to prevent working people being pushed into hardship this winter by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic as the Job Retention Scheme ends tomorrow.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Stopping the devastation of mass unemployment must be the government’s top priority.
“But from this weekend, the financial support for workers and businesses will fall, despite the public health crisis getting worse. And that will mean employers will lay people off.
“No-one should lose their job just because of the coronavirus restrictions. Ministers must do more to stop mass unemployment and protect livelihoods, especially for those on lower incomes and the self-employed.”
The TUC says that wage subsidies should be restored to the original 80 per cent, up from 67 per cent at present, where businesses are forced to close to help curb the spread of the virus.
It also want ministers to work with unions and employers to deliver targeted support for hard-hit sectors such as retail, hospitality, aerospace and the arts.
“For those who are laid off, universal credit must be higher,” added Ms O’Grady.
“Ministers should invest now to create good new jobs in green tech, in social care and in the public services we all rely on.
“Stopping mass unemployment and everyone having a decent job with fair pay is how we get out of this recession.
“We cannot afford to sleepwalk into mass unemployment and poverty.”
The Communist Party of Britain (CPB) also called for urgent action to guarantee employment, incomes, housing and food security during the battle against the pandemic.
CPB trade union organiser Andy Bain said: “Unemployment is set to rise to at least 10 per cent by the end of this year on present projections, unless the Tory government takes the necessary steps to break the circuit of infection with public support.”
He urged workers to fight closures and mass redundancies, pointing out that the right to picket, protest and demonstrate is protected under anti-Covid regulations, provided that people abide by masking and social-distancing requirements.
