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TUC: Government must ban zero-hours contracts
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady commented on figures published yesterday (Tuesday) by the ONS which show a record 974,000 people in employment on a “zero-hour contract” in their main job – representing a record 3.0% of all people in employment
“We now have nearly a million workers on zero-hours contracts. For many people this means having shifts cancelled at the last minute, and not knowing whether they will have enough money for food, bills or rent.
“Ireland has shown the way by banning zero-hours contracts. Now the UK government must do the same.”
Commenting on real wages figures which show that on some measures, real earnings have finally caught up with their pre-crisis peak, Frances O’Grady said:
“Today’s wages figures are nothing to celebrate after a decade of terrible wage growth. Families are experiencing record levels of in-work poverty, and record levels of debt.
“No more excuses: government needs a plan to get decent wage growth for everyone.”
Editors note
- The forthcoming employment bill provides the government with a good opportunity to ban zero-hours contracts.
- ONS employment data
- The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
Contacts:
TUC press office
media@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1248
