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Keir Starmer is facing rebellion from MPs after ministers dropped proposals to give workers day-one protection against unfair dismissal, a reversal violating the Labour manifesto.

MPs Voice Concerns

MPs including an ex-government official who led the worker protection legislation expressed apprehension over the climbdown revealed by the administration.

Cabinet members have removed the initiative to scrap the 24-month eligibility timeframe for workers to file wrongful termination cases and allow them to do so starting immediately in a new job, in an attempt to pass the bill through lawmakers.

Government Impasse

The bill was caught in a standoff between upper and lower chambers concerning the first draft to give workers the protection from the start, including proposals to ban "exploitative" zero-hours contracts.

The government now intends to introduce the right over unfair dismissal post six-month work period rather, whereas other immediate protections to fatherhood time off and sick pay continue planned to go ahead, coming into effect in April 2026.

Opposition and Condemnation

The elected official for the northeastern constituency characterized the decision as a "utter breach of trust" and vowed to push for its reversal.

"We are unable to endorse that partial approach."

"This is a wrong-headed move and I will campaign to overturn this compromise."

A different party representative voiced disappointment regarding insufficient discussion, stating: "There has been no discussion with party members. The upper chamber lacks authority concerning campaign pledges, therefore why did we surrender??"

Wider Consequences

Another representative remarked: "Businesses should not worry from day-one rights, but workers have everything to fear from an employer who resists first-day entitlements."

The ex-labor secretary affirmed that the decision "clearly represents a broken promise."

Ministerial Explanation

The schools minister declared there was a "very real prospect" the implementation of the employment rights bill might have faced postponement without the cabinet's decision regarding a U-turn over first-day rights against wrongful termination.

"Dialogue has taken place regarding the issue of unjust firing and the duration requirement between businesses, trade unions and government, and subsequent to that dialogue consensus has emerged concerning future direction, that demonstrates progress."

The secretary highlighted that "It means that the qualifying period will come down from two years to six months, and this accompanies important day-one rights around sick pay and concerning childbirth absence."

"However the danger present that if we didn't make progress, those crucial protections wouldn't come into force from April next year."

Upon being asked regarding whether it amounted to a failed commitment, the secretary answered: "In the manifesto, the promise indicated was that we planned to cooperate with worker representatives, with companies, with community groups, through dialogue regarding such entitlements we intended to implement."

"Consequently, dual elements remain concerning that issue, within the manifesto, the crucial protections and the dialogue."