Fashion
UK government, unions & businesses agree on Employment Rights Bill
A central breakthrough was consensus on reducing the unfair dismissal qualifying period from 24 months to six months, while retaining day-one protection against discrimination and automatically unfair dismissal, UK’s Department for Business and Trade said in a release.
The UK government will advance the Employment Rights Bill after unions and business groups agreed to cut the unfair dismissal qualifying period to six months.
The deal preserves April 2026 rollout of day-one sick pay and paternity leave and the Fair Work Agency.
Business groups welcomed the agreement but urged careful handling of issues such as guaranteed hours.
Ministers stressed this approach balances stronger worker protections with clarity for employers. The Government will also lift the compensation cap and ensure that any future changes to the qualifying period can only be made through primary legislation.
Business groups and unions agreed the Bill could now progress after the government committed to table the necessary amendments and ensure a full, transparent consultation process for upcoming secondary legislation. Ministers said this will keep implementation aligned with their timetable and manifesto pledge to ‘Make Work Pay,’ avoiding significant delays that would affect millions of workers and hinder business preparation.
The government emphasised its intention to continue detailed engagement with both sides—particularly to support small businesses—throughout the implementation phase.
Six major business organisations, including the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), CBI and Federation of Small Businesses, issued a joint statement welcoming the negotiated outcome. They said firms would be relieved that the government had adopted a qualifying period that is simple, meaningful, and understood, giving employers confidence to hire while protecting workers.
“This change addresses the key problem that must be sorted in primary legislation. It shows that dialogue works and is a model for how to consider the important questions that need answering in regulations before new rules come into force,” BCC along with the other organisations said in a joint release.
However, they cautioned that concerns remain over powers in the Bill related to guaranteed hours contracts, rules for seasonal and temporary workers, and industrial action thresholds.
“We remain committed to working with government and unions to dealing with this in the necessary secondary legislation to implement the Bill. We must ensure that it supports opportunity for workers while avoiding damage to economic growth. That also means agreeing guidance and support for businesses to understand and effectively implement the many changes, alongside sufficient resources for the Fair Work Agency and tribunal system,” the organisations added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Fashion
Canada’s Lululemon revamps commercial strategy with new global leader
Ms. Burgoyne joined lululemon in 2006 and became the company’s first President in 2020. Throughout her tenure, she has assumed roles of increasing responsibility and led the North America business through periods of rapid growth and expansion.
Lululemon Athletica has announced that Celeste Burgoyne, president of the Americas and global guest innovation, will leave at the end of December 2025 after 19 years with the brand.
The company will consolidate regional leadership and has appointed André Maestrini as president and chief commercial officer, giving him global oversight of stores, regions, digital channels and commercial strategy.
“We are grateful for Celeste’s leadership and significant contributions to lululemon’s business and culture over the past 19 years. She has been instrumental in growing our footprint in the Americas, creating high-quality guest experiences, and mentoring our teams across the organization,” said Calvin McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, lululemon. “I deeply appreciate her partnership and friendship, and we wish her all the best in the future.”
“My time at lululemon has been both inspiring and rewarding beyond belief,” said Ms. Burgoyne. “I am so proud of what we have accomplished as an organization since I joined in 2006 and know the team will take the company to even greater heights in the years to come. I look forward to continuing to support the brand as a lifelong fan.”
In conjunction with this announcement, lululemon has made the decision to consolidate regional leadership across the company and appoint André Maestrini as President and Chief Commercial Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Maestrini will continue to report directly to Mr. McDonald.
In this newly created role, Mr. Maestrini will provide integrated oversight of all of lululemon’s regions, stores, and digital channels globally. He will also oversee lululemon’s global commercial strategy with a focus on continued market expansion, revenue generation, and accelerating best practice sharing, across all regions including North America.
Mr. Maestrini joined lululemon in 2021 as Executive Vice President of International. In his current role, he has overseen lululemon’s operations in EMEA, APAC, and China Mainland, and has helped to more than quadruple lululemon’s international revenues.
“André has demonstrated a proven ability to unlock opportunities, advance our global expansion, and deliver growth across multiple markets,” said Mr. McDonald. “Leveraging operational discipline, deep guest insights, and extensive brand-building experience, André is the ideal person to lead our business across all markets, including North America, as we remain focused on delivering value for our guests, employees, and shareholders.”
Before joining lululemon, Mr. Maestrini spent 14 years at adidas in various senior roles across the globe. During this time, he served in a number of General Manager positions where he helped grow the company’s global sports categories and regional markets. Prior to adidas, Mr. Maestrini held marketing roles at The Coca-Cola Company, Danone, and Kraft Jacobs Suchard.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
Fashion
India’s growth expected to be robust despite external headwinds: IMF
Under the baseline assumption of prolonged 50-per cent US tariffs, India’s real gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow at 6.6 per cent in fiscal 2025-26 (FY26) before moderating to 6.2 per cent in FY27, the IMF said.
The reform of the goods and services tax (GST) and the resulting reduction in the effective rate are expected to help cushion the adverse impact of tariffs.
Despite external headwinds, India’s growth is expected to be robust, backed by favourable domestic conditions, the IMF has said.
Assuming prolonged 50-per cent US tariffs, FY26 real GDP may grow at 6.6 per cent before moderating to 6.2 per cent in FY27.
Further deepening of geo-economic fragmentation could lead to tighter financial conditions, higher input costs and lower trade, FDI and economic growth.
Headline inflation is projected to remain well contained, reflecting the one-off effect of the GST reform and continued benign food prices, it remarked in a release.
Looking ahead, India’s ambition to become an advanced economy can be supported by advancing comprehensive structural reforms that enable higher potential growth, the IMF noted.
There are significant near-term risks to the economic outlook. On the upside, the conclusion of new trade agreements and faster implementation of structural reform domestically could boost exports, private investment and employment.
On the downside, further deepening of geo-economic fragmentation could lead to tighter financial conditions, higher input costs and lower trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth.
Unpredictable weather shocks could affect crop yields, adversely impact rural consumption and reignite inflationary pressures, the IMF added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Fashion
India’s trade push spans close to 50 countries, Goyal says
India has concluded balanced free trade agreements (FTAs) with Australia, the UAE, Mauritius, the United Kingdom and the EFTA bloc, and is negotiating with partners representing nearly 50 nations, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said recently.
He stressed self-reliance, India’s innovation strengths, young talent and resilient supply-chain partnerships.
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