GMB union has accused of presiding over a ‘tidal
wave’ of insecure work after zero hours employment hit its
highest rate in history.
New official figures show that 1,133,441 people were employed on
a zero hours contract in October to December 2022.
This was the highest estimate on record and an increase of 8.5
per cent on the previous three months. [1]
Young workers, women workers and people born outside the UK are
all more like to be in zero hours employment.
One in nine workers aged between 16 and 24 (11.7 per cent) are
now on a zero hours contract, according to the ONS.
Separate figures show that a third of all direct care workers in
England are on a zero hours contract, rising to half in London.
[2]
Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary,
said:
“This Government is making history for all the wrong
reasons.
“Rishi Sunak is presiding over a tidal wave of insecure work and
exploitative zero hours employment is higher than
ever.
“The economy is stalling and his answer is to launch a bonfire of
workers’ rights while other countries get with ending these
contracts for good.
“Zero hours contracts are a key part of a broken employment model
in sectors from social care to retail. It’s time for a government
that will fight for workers’ rights.”
ENDS
Media enquiries: GMB Press Office on 07958
156846 or at press.office@gmb.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
[1] ONS, EMP17: People in employment on zero hours contracts, 14
February 2023 https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/datasets/emp17peopleinemploymentonzerohourscontracts
[2] 34 per cent of direct care workers in England were employed
on a zero hours contract last year, rising to 54 per cent in
London.
Skills for Care, The state of the adult social care sector and
workforce in England, October 2022 https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/adult-social-care-workforce-data/Workforce-intelligence/publications/national-information/The-state-of-the-adult-social-care-sector-and-workforce-in-England.aspx
