Jeremy Corbyn says school children should be taught about workers’ rights School children should learn about workers’ rights and the trade union movement, Jeremy Corbyn has said. The Labour leader called […]

School children should learn about workers’ rights and the trade union movement, Jeremy Corbyn has said.

The Labour leader called for young people to be “fully equipped” to exercise their rights in the workplace.

Speaking at the annual Durham Miners’ Gala, Mr Corbyn said the move was necessary as trade unions have been “marginalised, vilified and undermined” for years.

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Develop rights

Labour proposes that the lessons form part of broader citizenship classes, though it did not give examples of exactly what would be taught.

“Children should not only learn about trade unions and their rights at work, but should be fully equipped to exercise and develop those rights,” he told the celebration of working class culture.

“Schools need to teach these values and together we can, and will, transform society so it works for the many, not the few.”

Mr Corbyn argued the reforms were needed as power is “concentrated in the hands of a few, at the expense of everybody else.”

“The next Labour government will restore trade union rights, but we need to also make sure young people learn about the principles of solidarity and collective action.”

Gimmick

A Conservative spokesman said: “This is an unnecessary gimmick to hide the fact that Jeremy Corbyn’s plans would do nothing to help working people.

“Jeremy Corbyn claims to want to stand up for workers – but he wouldn’t be able to deliver on this promise because he doesn’t know how to handle the economy.

“And that would mean higher prices and lower wages, meaning workers would have less money to take home to their families.”