TUC calls for tougher action on zero-hours contracts

Commenting on today’s (Tuesday) report on zero-hours contracts by the Resolution Foundation, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The report highlights how the government is failing to address many of the abuses experienced by workers on zero-hours contracts. That’s why we need urgent legislative action to stamp out the growing abuse of workers on these contracts and in other forms of insecure work.

“The report includes some welcome recommendations including recognising the need for improved enforcement of workplace rights, encouraging government to use procurement arrangements to reduce the use of zero-hours contracts, especially in social care, and rights for all workers to receive a written statement of terms and conditions at the start of their employment.

“We agree with the Resolution Foundation that individuals working regular hours should be offered a contract containing fixed hours, but they should not have to wait 12 months for increased job and income security.

“The TUC would like the government to go further and ensure that staff on zero-hours contracts are properly rewarded for the flexibility they offer employers and that they get the same basic workplace rights as employees. 

“The government cannot afford to ignore the 36,000 responses to the recent BIS consultation on zero-hours working. If we are to build a strong and sustainable recovery that benefits working people, then we need to be creating secure jobs with decent rates of pay. This week sees the TUC’s first Fair Pay Fortnight and we are urging all political parties to put fair pay at the top of their agenda in the run up to the election.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC is organising Fair Pay Fortnight from Monday 24 March to Sunday 6 April. It will be a series of events across England and Wales to raise awareness about falling living standards. www.fairpayfortnight.org

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews