07/05/2014

Jobseekers Risk Losing Benefits If They Turn Down Zero-Hour Contracts

SDLP Omagh Council candidate Joanne Donnelly has expressed disappointment after news jobseekers risk losing their benefits if they turn down certain zero-hours contracts without good reason.

Ms Donnelly, who has previously voiced concern on zero-hour contracts and the lack of security and support they offer employees, said of the latest development: "I am disappointed to hear jobseekers are being marginalised by welfare reform and cuts. Of course it must be the government's job to create jobs and encourage unemployed people to seek employment, but I would state that it is the quality of employment is a massive issue.

"This unacceptable government position on zero-hour contracts must be withdrawn. Zero-hour contracts put all the control with the employer and offer no support or safety net to employees. How is that acceptable that someone could be told what they are working on a day-by-day basis? How can you expect anyone to budget their finances or organise childcare on such short notice?"

(CVS/CD)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 January 2008
Bank Charges Test Case Set To Open
A High Court test case, which could bring major charges to banks' unauthorised overdraft charges is due to begin today. The case has been brought by the Office of Fair Trading against seven banks, including Barclays, Clydesdale Bank, HBOS and HSBC, and the Nationwide Building Society.
14 March 2012
Unemployment Rises By 28,000
According to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) UK unemployment rose by 28,000 to 2.67 million during the three months to January. The unemployment rate for January was 8.4%, up from 8.3%. Between 16-24 year olds unemployment rose by 16,000 to 1.042m, a rate of 22.5%.
18 October 2006
Unemployment continues to rise in UK
Unemployment is continuing to rise in the UK, according to the latest figures. The Office for National Statistics figures showed that the number of people who were unemployed rose to 1.7 million in the three months to August – the highest level for six years. The increase took the unemployment rate to 5.5%, an increase of 0.
14 April 2014
Report Says Zero-Hours Contracts 'Should Not Be Used'
An interim report has said that "in the majority of cases" zero-hours contracts should not be used at all. In the report, published today, the Scottish Affairs Committee has described the increase in zero-hour contracts as "alarming" and say that the government should be using all the levers at its disposal, including legislation, to change this.
24 February 2006
Government awards contracts for bird flu vaccine
Health Minister, Rosie Winterton has announced the award of contracts to Baxter and Chiron for supplies of around 3.5 million doses of H5N1 vaccine. The announcement was made as EU Health Ministers attended a special meeting in Vienna to take stock of recent events and discuss coordination action at European level.