The TUC is calling for a ban on zero-hours contracts and people working regular hours should have a right to a guaranteed-hours contract. This comes after their research found that 290,000 more people could be in insecure work by the end of the next parliament in 2022.
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The figures show that by the start of 2022, 3.5 million people could be in insecure work such as zero-hours contracts, temp or agency work, and low-paid self-employment. The analysis comes as part of a series of TUC election warnings, which show what the British economy will look like in 2022 if current trends continue unchecked.
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Previous research found that workers on insecure zero-hours contracts earn a third less per hour than the average worker. They have also found that insecure work costs the Treasury £4 billion a year in lost income tax and national insurance contributions, along with extra benefits and tax credits.
They are also calling for all workers to have a right to a written statement of terms, conditions and working hours, from day one. Everyone at work to get the same rights as an employee, unless the employer can show that they are genuinely self-employed.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“MPs aren’t the only ones feeling insecure in their jobs right now. If nothing changes, hundreds of thousands more Brits could be stuck in insecure work, being treated like disposable labour. That’s the same as thirteen extra Sports Directs, or the entire working population of Sheffield.
“Paying rent and bills can be a nightmare when you don’t know how much you’ve got coming in each month. And planning childcare is impossible when you’re constantly at the beck and call of employers.
“The next government will need to tackle this problem head on. Every party manifesto must have real commitments to crack down on zero-hours contracts and bogus self-employment. And agency workers should always get the going rate for the job.”
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