Government is failing to tackle the growing casualisation of work

Commenting on proposals in the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill announced today (Wednesday) in the Queen’s Speech, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Casusalised work offering low pay and poor working conditions was a feature of the recession that has continued to grow even as the economy has started to recover.

“The weak proposals on zero-hours contracts shows the government realises that casualisation is a problem, but lacks the courage to tackle exploitative working practices properly.

“The tougher penalties for employers caught dodging the minimum wage are a welcome move that unions have long called for. But unless the government matches these new powers with greater resources to catch minimum wage crooks in the first place, rogue employers will continue to underpay staff without fear of being caught.”

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