Rayner: I'll force companies to protect interns from sexual harassment

Ms. Rayner announced her plans on Thursday with minimal fanfare. Photo: Jeremy Selwyn

Labour will introduce new legislation that will force firms to protect trainees and volunteers from sexual harassment, says Angela Rayner.

The party's deputy leader unveiled plans, warning of a «culture of sexism» in attitudes towards women in the workplace are still “deeply entrenched.”

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Speaking at a business conference, she also defended her plans to strengthen workers' rights after unions said they had been watered down.

Ms Rayner said almost two thirds of young women had been sexually assaulted. harassment or bullying. at work.

She added that being the victim of harassment is especially “harmful” for women early in their careers and can keep them from getting promoted.

«Despite the efforts of many good employers, the culture of sexism we face is still deeply entrenched,» she told the Chartered Management Institute conference.

Ms Rayner in London on Thursday announcing her new plans Photo: Jeremy Selwyn

“Labour will introduce new laws to protect women, starting with sexual harassment in the workplace in the very place where they should have the freedom to thrive.

“Employers will need to take steps to protect their newest and youngest employees from sexual harassment, ensuring that existing requirements also apply to contract trainees and volunteers who sign employment contracts.”

The changes will expand companies' obligations. under the Equality Act 2010, which enshrines women's rights to directly include interns and volunteers.

Conservative ministers were considering making such changes in 2021, although concerns were raised about the «administrative burden» on organizations such as small charities.

Unusually modest announcement

Ms Rayner made the announcement in an unusually muted speech amid many questions about the sale of her former council house.

No journalists were invited to the event and she did not appear in any media. which would be typical when a new policy is announced.

In her address she also defended her aim to overhaul workers' rights amid suggestions she is at loggerheads with Sir Keir Starmer over the plans.

< p>Trade unions accused the Labor leadership of bowing to business pressure to over the proposals, partly by relaxing the ban on zero-hours contracts.

Leaked documents show the party's initial plans to outlaw firing and rehiring tactics, and introduce a «right to switch off» also were softened.

“A real living wage”

Ms Rayner insisted: «We will make work pay by providing a real living wage and increasing sick pay for people on the lowest earnings.

«We will make work safer by banning exploitative zero-hours contracts and also ending layoffs and rehirings.

“We will make work more family-friendly by ensuring flexible working is a genuine standard and providing the right to switch off.”

G- Ms Rayner announced her new policy for workers in the Labor Party for the first time. conference in 2021, which will outline a series of sweeping reforms to labor rights.

The package has since been steadily watered down amid business warnings that it will harm Britain's competitiveness.

Unite, which is Labour's biggest trade union donor, has reacted with fury to what it called a «betrayal» and is calling on Sir Keir to return to the original plan.