25/06/2014

Unite Slams Govt Plans On Zero Hour Contracts

Government plans announced today to ban exclusivity clauses in zero hours contracts will do nothing to end the insecurity of zero hours working, is the warning from Britain's largest union, Unite.

Exclusivity clauses stop an individual from working for another employer, but only represented part of the problem, they argued.

Commenting on the plans, Steve Turner, Unite assistant general secretary said: "Zero hours contracts are a zero sum game for workers struggling to get by. The only winner is the employer and these measures do nothing to tackle the insecurity or uncertainty of zero hours contracts.

"Work harder get poorer seems to be the message from a government that has proved itself ignorant to the daily struggles of working people. Employers use zero-hours contracts to dodge tax and cut their wage bill, while avoiding holiday pay, pensions, and other benefits enjoyed by other employees and agency staff."

(CD)

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