Speaking at the annual CBI dinner last night, CBI President
Sir Clive Thompson warned Tony Blair against the new employment legislation
that holds back people from participating in the changing world of work.
Sir Clive said that the Government must not cave into pressure and promise
people more and more rights during the run up to the next general election.
He said: "My two-year CBI presidency has been dominated by the growth
in regulation from Whitehall and Brussels. We have had laws on wages,
hours and patterns on work - to name but a few."
He went on to ask the Prime Minister to resist the pre-election demands
for more employment legislation in the Labour manifesto. "Everyone
understands and sympathises with the call for paid parental leave and
a right to part-time work for returning mothers. But the nature of work
in the future will be insecure and needs for its very existence to be
unprotected."
"Take age discrimination. No one should support such discrimination
but legislation against it is not the answer. It would only add to company
legal bills. People seek greater security but to legislate for that will
limit the growth of employment."
Sir Clive concluded by pointing out that everone is involved in business.
"Buisness is about people - many people striving together. Business
may be the brain but it is our people who are at the heart of a successful
society."
