London, (Shahzad Ali) __ UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle has stated that the Labour government will duly consider business concerns as it advances its comprehensive labour reforms, ensuring that employers do not incur any disadvantages. He announced that the government will initiate 26 consultation rounds regarding proposed changes to workers’ rights, encouraging active participation from the business community.

Addressing the CBI Conference in London, Kyle emphasised that under Labour, the enhancement of workers’ rights would not be achieved at the expense of businesses . He has remarked that a Labour government will not permit this to become a zero-sum situation where one party benefits at the expense of the other. “When these consultations commence, I encourage you to participate. Make your voices heard and maintain engagement with my department so that we can make well-informed and balanced decisions. I will ensure that businesses are not adversely affected.”

The Labour government has already committed to banning zero-hour contracts and introducing protections against unfair dismissal from the commencement of employment. According to government evaluations, the cost of implementing these reforms could range from £900 million to £5 billion — a projection that has elicited strong reactions from business groups, who warn that the policies might result in job reductions.

Meanwhile, trade unions and several Labour Members of Parliament have called on the government to fully enact the workers’ rights bill, cautioning that any dilution of the manifesto pledge would betray voters and weaken protections for millions of employees.

Concerns have escalated following the resignation of Angela Rayner — a prominent supporter of the reforms — subsequent to Keir Starmer’s cabinet reshuffle in September.