Over a million workers on zero-hours contracts shows need for Employment Rights Bill, TUC

More than a million workers remain on zero-hours contracts, highlighting the need for the Employment Rights Bill to improve job security, according to the TUC.

The latest labour market figures show that 1.13 million people are still on zero-hours contracts, while unemployment and employment rates both increased by 0.1 percentage points in the last quarter. The number of payrolled employees remained unchanged between October and December and rose by 0.3% over the past year.

Youth unemployment now stands at 12.8%, up from 10.6% a year ago, while the number of people out of work due to long-term sickness has fallen slightly but remains high at 2.77 million. Real pay grew by 3.4% compared with CPI inflation, offering a small boost to workers after years of stagnation.

Paul Nowak, general secretary of the TUC, said: “A decade of inaction on insecure work has left a legacy of over a million workers on zero-hours contracts. That’s why it’s so important to improve security at work and stop these exploitative working practices. The Employment Rights Bill will rightly ban them.”

Despite concerns over job insecurity, Nowak pointed to some positive developments in the employment data. “There are some better signs in the employment data. But ministers must keep their focus on supporting jobs. The government’s industrial strategy and infrastructure plans are an opportunity to create good new jobs where they’re most needed. And job seekers need access to well-funded training and employment support.”

On youth unemployment and long-term sickness, Nowak welcomed efforts to support jobseekers but called for a broader approach to tackle barriers to employment. “It’s good to see ministers making plans to improve opportunities for young people and disabled people to move into decent work. We need an approach that improves access to health services, and that gives young people genuine opportunities to earn and learn. It’s a chance to transform the lives of people who want to work but who face barriers keeping them out of employment.”