British workers put in £23 billion a year in unpaid overtime
according to the TUC.
The TUC claims that the cost to employers of administering
legislation on employee rights is easily outweighed by the amount of unpaid
overtime contributed by UK workers.
It argues that on average each worker who puts in overtime
should be getting an extra £4,400 a year in their pay packets and that most
people see the minimum wage and improved maternity provision as basic human
rights.
The figures were revealed as the TUC launched a new poster
and advertising campaign which highlights employees’ newly won right to take
four weeks’ paid holiday a year.
TUC general secretary John Monks, commented, “Our aim is to
put employee rights on the election agenda.
“We want voters to ask hard questions about where the
parties stand and particularly question those who dismiss modest improvements
in rights at work as red tape.”
By Ben Willmott. Click
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