I welcome the tightening of provisions relating to terms of employment. However there is a danger here. I do not wish to be seen to be objecting to the Bill but I seek clarification on one matter. Concern has been expressed about methods of employment and some employers wonder whether they should employ more people.
Subparagraph (c) provides that the employer will give the employee a statement in writing of "the place of work or, where there is no fixed or main place of work, a statement that the employee is required or permitted to work at various places". Does this mean that there is now a contract or that a contract could be created between an employee and an employer? Are there conditions outside the terms of employment on which an employer could rely? They might not necessarily be relevant to this legislation. Can an employer now lay down conditions of employment without being in breach of the provisions of this Bill?
In Britain employers often make their employees work as sub-contractors or on a self-employed basis. That might also happen here. Does this Bill protect employees and employers or can employers disregard this Bill and have all their employees working on a self-employed basis? I would be happy with the provision if this could be clarified.