The Manx Labour Party wants to see the introduction of regulations to protect workers during a transfer of business.

The call follows a warning from unions that Post Officer staff pay and conditions could be affected if the branches in Ramsey and Douglas are privatised. TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations were introduced in the UK in 2006 by the then Labour government to give some protection to a workforce when its employer changed hands, particularly during privatisation of government services.

David Carter of the Manx Labour Party said: 'It is unfair that staff should be made to pay for a business transfer so that the new employer can make a profit. When TUPE applies, the employees of the outgoing employer automatically become employees of the incoming employer at the point of transfer.

'They carry with them their continuous service from the outgoing employer, and should continue to enjoy the same terms and conditions of employment with the incoming employer. TUPE legislation is long over-due on the island to protect hard-working staff when a business changes hands.'

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