Employment law 'will let bosses hire and fire at will'

Sweeping changes to employment law will give bosses the right to "hire and fire at will", it was claimed today.

Rail union boss Bob Crow said workers face being dumped just before they qualify to claim unfair dismissal ­- a period set to be doubled to two years.

Plans to reduce the number of employment tribunals by introducing fees were also described as "punitive" and "retrogressive" by lawyers.

Ministers insist the package of proposed reforms, including an "employers' charter", will help reduce the burden on firms while ensuring employees are treated fairly.

Business leaders welcomed the plans, saying they would help discourage "spurious and baseless" claims - clearing the way for more staff to be
taken on.

However, unions said that the Government was bending over to business rather than standing up for workers who had been treated unfairly.

RMT general secretary Mr Crow said: "You will have to wait two years for protection under the law with these plans and that's a green light for workers to be dumped out on the cobbles just before they get their 24 months' service under their belts."

Clive Howard, partner at employment lawyers Russell Jones & Walker, said: "This will give those employers who are looking to cut corners when it comes to employment rights a free pass to do so."