THE immoral use of fire-and-rehire tactics must end, Labour MP Barry Gardiner said today at an event in support of thousands of workers subjected to the practice.

A year ago, some 4,000 staff at east London’s Tower Hamlets Council were fired and rehired to do the same jobs on worse pay, terms and conditions.

It is just one part of a national scandal which has hit one in 10 workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the TUC.

Those affected in Tower Hamlets include special needs teachers, refuse workers, social workers, housing and homelessness support staff, library workers and those providing youth, drug and alcohol services.

The imposed contracts cut pay for new hires and slashed night-working supplements and incremental pay increases linked to promotions.

Travel allowances, annual leave and flexitime were also cut, and disciplinary procedures were changed to workers’ detriment.

Severance packages were also cut by up to 80 per cent, making it easier and cheaper for bosses to lay off workers.

The dispute is ongoing as unions warn that thousands more jobs are still at risk, but the council has defended the changes as a “reflection of how the world has changed.”

Mr Gardiner, a shadow cabinet minister under ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, introduced a private member’s Bill to end fire and rehire in the Commons last month.

The Brent North MP said that the Bill, backed by more than 100 cross-party MPs as well as unions and industry experts, would protect hundreds of thousands of workers whose jobs are still under threat.

Despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson describing fire and rehire, which is outlawed in Ireland and Spain, as “unacceptable,” the government has not legislated against it and its long-promised employment Bill is yet to see the light of day.

Unite started a national campaign against fire and rehire earlier this year, backed by Mr Corbyn, Labour MPs including John McDonnell and Ian Lavery, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

The GMB union is still in dispute with British Gas after the Centrica-owned energy giant sacked some 500 engineers who refused to sign contracts which the union said would require them to work more hours for less pay.

Workers at Jacob Douwe Egberts, Weetabix, Argos and British Airways are also fighting the tactics, which 76 per cent of people said should be banned in a Survation poll commissioned by GMB in May.

Mr Gardiner said: “I am standing with workers in Tower Hamlets to stop this immoral practice. Fire and rehire is not a party-political issue: it simply is wrong.

“Companies across the country are using fire and rehire as a tactic, and my Bill will outlaw that and protect workers in the future.

“Sainsbury’s, Argos, Tesco, British Airways, British Gas — they’re all at it and it’s simply wrong. I’m delighted that MPs on all sides are supporting my Bill.”

Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett said it was “quite clear that the public is firmly on the side of working people when it comes to [this] horrific practice.”

“There is no grey area here,” he said. “They see that this is an objectionable practice that should be banned. The government has to get on the same page as voters on this, and fast.”

GMB national secretary Andy Prendergast said: “GMB has campaigned against fire and rehire for years, taking on bosses at Asda, British Gas and others when they threatened our members with it.

“Even the [PM] calls it “unacceptable” — yet the Conservative Party refuses to legislate to stop employers abusing their powers.

“GMB fully supports Barry Gardiner’s Bill.”

Parliamentary reporter @TrinderMatt