Consultation Launched For Zero-Hours Contracts

A public consultation on zero-hours contracts in Northern Ireland has been launched by Employment and Learning Minister Stephen Farry.

The 14-week consultation will be taken forward in parallel with Northern Ireland specific research to gain a better understand of the numbers of zero hours contracts, including where and how they are being used.

Launching the consultation, Minister Farry said: "It is important to bear in mind that the labour market continues to evolve. As a consequence, zero hours contracts are an increasingly common aspect of the modern approach to work.

"Given this reality and if people are therefore to have confidence in the use of zero hours contracts, then we need to consider how best to regulate them, in ways that promote the interests of both employers and employees.

"This consultation will explore a number of options for addressing concerns about these types of contracts and will consider the impacts of zero hours contracts."

He added: "It will seek to establish potential policy proposals where regulation or the development of unambiguous guidance for both employers and employees may be required, focusing primarily on two areas; the use of exclusivity clauses that would prevent people from taking on other types of employment; and measures to reduce any lack of transparency around the terms of zero hours contracts."

The consultation will end on 29 September 2014.

(JP)