Research into the merits of “zero hour” contracts is to be commissioned by the North’s Employment Minister after concerns about the rights of workers on such contracts were expressed by Derry Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney.
Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney.
Stephen Farry has informed Mr McCartney he had asked his officials to commission new research to establish a more reliable estimate of the number of workers on zero-hours contracts in Northern Ireland.
Mr Farry added: “The research will also seek to identify the merits and demerits of using this type of contract, and will provide the Department with a more informed understanding of whether there is a need to introduce additional protections for workers on zero-hours contracts.”
The Minister’s announcement came after the Derry MLA had expressed “serious concerns” about the growing number of “zero hour” contracts workers here are being forced to take.
Mr McCartney asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline how the rights of workers were affected by such contracts and what safeguards were in place to ensure all workers’ rights and entitlements were honoured and protected.
Mr McCartney said: “There is a growing concern about the growing number of these zero hours being introduced right across the board. Many people believe that these contracts are deeply exploitative, it’s that simple.
“The reality for thousands of low paid workers is that they are on call seven days a week with absolutely no guarantee of work. In some cases, a worker can be moved about departments after a couple of hours which means they don’t get full meal breaks.
“Thousands of other workers, a large percentage of whom are women, continue to be covered by zero hour contracts. They are employed in the service sector and trapped in low paid jobs with poor working conditions.
“These workers don’t know from one day to the next if and when they will work again.
“We need to be very clear zero-hour contracts are not acceptable in any shape or form. All workers should be treated with dignity and respect.
“The notion of zero hour contracts flies in the face of this and totally undermines any notion of workers’ rights.”
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