Posted on 2013-10-21 | 11:06

Roger joined Labour colleagues in demanding action to end the exploitation of workers on zero-hours contracts. At a time when families are facing the biggest living standards crisis in a generation, Labour called a special debate in Parliament last week demanding action to stop rising insecurity at work under David Cameron, including the exploitive use of zero-hours contracts.

According to recent estimates there could be as many as 1 million workers employed on zero-hours contracts - with a big increase since the Tory-led government took office - and they are now used in one in five workplaces. The Conservative Party has failed to act on zero-hours contracts, and it has emerged that a ‘review’ of the issue initiated by Business Secretary Vince Cable earlier this year consisted of three officials spending part of their time “speaking informally” with stakeholders.

In contrast, last month Ed Miliband announced plans to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts by banning employers from insisting that those on zero-hours contracts are available even when there is no guarantee of any work; stopping zero-hours contracts that require workers to work exclusively for one firm; ending the misuse of zero hours contracts where employees are in practice working regular hours over a sustained period; and putting in place a code of practice on the use of zero-hours contracts.

Roger said: “Under David Cameron we have seen rising insecurity at work, compounding the living standards crisis that families in my constituency are facing. While zero-hours contracts might be useful for a minority of workers, I am not in favour of people in Birmingham Hall Green lacking job security and having to be flexible about whether or not they can afford the weekly shop.”

He continued: “Zero-hours contracts cause insecurity and uncertainty for too many families in Birmingham Hall Green, and I am calling for an end to their use to exploit workers.”

If you have been affected by zero-hours contracts please get in touch by email to [email protected] to share your story.