§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will make it her policy to extend equal employment protection to part-time workers and to institute pro rata benefits for women and men in part-time work.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMany important rights—including those relating to sex and race discrimination, trade union membership/non-membership and health and safety—already apply equally to all employees, irrespective of hours of work. All union members also have important statutory protections against misuse of union powers. Extending all employment protection rights to employees regardless of their hours of work or on a pro rata basis, however, would place excessive burdens on employers and reduce opportunities for part-time work.