The head of Britain's trade union movement has called on the public to remember the more than one million people who will be clocking in for work on Christmas Day, from NHS nurses to members of the clergy.
Recognising the Festive Workforce
In an interview with Sky News, Trades Union Congress (TUC) General Secretary Paul Nowak highlighted the significant contribution of those who keep essential services running while most celebrate. He stated that 1.2 million people are expected to work on 25 December.
"On Christmas Day, most of us will be spending it with our loved ones, our friends and family and enjoying the day," Mr Nowak said from the TUC's Congress House headquarters in London. "But there'll be more than a million people at work, many of them, for example, in care homes or in retail, preparing for the Boxing Day sales."
He emphasised that this workforce includes not only care workers and NHS staff but also those in less obvious roles. "There are members of the clergy who are union members, and of course, being a member of the clergy is a vocation, but it's also a job," he noted, adding that alongside those delivering sermons, others will be ensuring churches are open, safe, and warm.
A Legislative 'Christmas Present' for Workers
Mr Nowak pointed to the recently enacted Employment Rights Act as a crucial piece of legislation that will benefit many of those working through the holidays. He described it as the "perfect Christmas present" for millions in low-paid, insecure employment.
"For those workers, hopefully they'll be getting a Christmas present this year in the form of the government's Employment Rights Act, which will get rid of exploitative zero-hours contracts and hopefully drive up pay and tackle insecure employment," he explained.
The Act, which received Royal Assent last week, will introduce a suite of new rights starting from next April. Key provisions highlighted by the TUC chief include:
- Sick pay from day one for up to eight million workers.
- A ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts.
- A host of other protections to be phased in over the next 18 to 24 months.
A Step Forward for Workers' Rights
Mr Nowak argued that the new law represents a major advancement for the UK's lowest-paid employees, many of whom form the backbone of the festive period's essential services. "They're precisely the sort of workers who will benefit most from the government's Employment Rights Act," he stated.
"So this is a really big step forward for low-paid workers in this country," Mr Nowak concluded, urging everyone enjoying the holiday to acknowledge the sacrifice and service of those who are not.
