The European Parliament voted yesterday for national governments to tackle precarious employment – including zero-hour contracts – youth unemployment and poor wages.
Labour MEPs have long called for action on abusive zero-hour contracts that offer no job security and prevent employees from being able to financially plan for their future or apply for a mortgage, and today MEPs voted for Member States to take action.
The number of people in the UK on zero-hours contracts was estimated to be 1.8 million in 2014.
East Midlands MEP, Glenis Willmott, said:
“Five million people in the UK are in low paid jobs, often on zero-hour contracts or in precarious work. Yesterday’s report recognises and attempts to tackle these problems. The EU gets it. But does Cameron’s Tory government?
“Far too many employers are using these abusive zero-hour contracts without a thought of the negative consequences that they have on people’s lives.
“Everyone deserves to be in quality employment and employers have a responsibility to ensure their employees are protected in the workplace including adequate wages, social security protection and decent workplace conditions.
“Labour MEPs will continue to fight for quality jobs with job security in the UK and across the EU. We must end in-work poverty now.”