Union lobbies for increased protection
The Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) is lobbying the government to include employee protection in the new Licensing Bill.
The union met with employers, officials from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to press for the amendment to be added to the bill.
It is concerned that flexible opening hours will mean more unsociable working hours and put employees at further risk of violence.
It wants financial compensation for workers, paid taxis home and protection for bar staff from violence to be made law when the bill is passed.
Brian Revell, national organiser for food and agriculture at the TGWU, said: "The government must introduce protection for bar workers, as we are fearful that many employers will not respect workers' rights.
"We are calling for existing contractual rights to be respected and that financial compensation be paid for any increase in unsociable hours."
But many in the trade are fearful that any such move would place additional burdens on licensees, who are already concerned about the increases in the minimum wage and National Insurance.
Nick Bish, of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, has spoken out against the move.
He said: "Employment protection is important but such matters are not in the remit of the licensing regime. It should be dealt with through employment legislation."
Licensee John Hudson, of the Crossways Hotel in Durham, said: "If they are going to place additional burdens on us we will go out of business.
"People choose a job because they want to. People working in pubs know they will be working unsociable hours and they know the money isn't brilliant.
"They can't continually ask us to pay out more money than we can afford."
Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, agreed.
He said: "Licensees will not be able to afford it. Under employment law you can't force workers to work more hours then they already do.
"It would just be another cost to the licensed trade and it is something the trade can't afford.
"Many licensees already provide taxis and transport staff to ensure that staff get home safely."
