By Bill Heaney
New analysis from Labour has found that the use of zero-hours contracts in Scotland has surged by 50 per cent since 2013.
The number of people working on a zero-hours contract in Scotland has increased by 10% in the past year alone. Four in ten (40.6%) on these contracts are under 25 while more than half are women (56%).
The analysis comes as Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner prepares to address the STUC Congress in Dundee today (Tuesday) where she will pledge that a Labour Government will ban zero-hours contracts as part of a New Deal for Working People.
In Scotland, despite the SNP pledging to take robust action, zero-hours contracts are still classed as a ‘positive employment destination’ for school leavers and the Scottish Government’s guidance for the award of public contracts published last year states only that there should be no “inappropriate use of zero-hours contracts”.
Labour has vowed to bring workers’ rights and protections into the twenty-first century with its New Deal for Working People, banning zero-hours contracts and ensuring workers have the right to contracts that reflect the hours they work.
Angela Rayner, Labour Deputy Leader and Shadow Secretary of State for the Future of Work, said: “Scotland has seen an explosion of zero-hours contracts, leaving working people with insecure hours and no guarantee when their next pay cheque will arrive. This disgraceful surge in insecure work risks a race to the bottom.
“Zero-hours working practices often go hand-in-hand with low pay, and working women are disproportionately affected by the scourge of insecure work. One in ten young working Scots is now on a zero-hours contract. Scotland deserves better.
“While the Tories and the SNP have failed to deliver the crackdown they promised, the next Labour Government will ban zero-hours contracts, safeguard rights at work and raise standards for all.
“With our New Deal for Working People, Labour has a plan to ensure people have access to fair and secure work. Labour will make Scotland work for working people.”
Top picture: Angela Rayner, Labour Deputy Leader and Shadow Secretary of State for the Future of Work.
Hypocrisy from the local Labour Council who employ over 500 people on these exploitative discriminatory ZHC.