On your doorstep
Zero hours workers suffer low pay and no rights
The number of people on a zero hours contract has soared across Scotland in the past year.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that there are now around 70,000 people on these types of contracts.
That’s up by 9% from 64,000 people in 2018, and indicates that around one in every 38 workers in the country is now on a zero hours contract. This means the employer is not obliged to provide any minimum working hours, while the worker is not obliged to accept any work.
For many, these contracts provide a degree of flexibility that can allow them to juggle work with other obligations, such as childcare or university. However, the rising gig economy is also leaving many people insecure in their work and uncertain of their monthly wage.
Across the UK, 27% of people on a zero hours contract would like to work more hours than they do – nearly four times as many as the 7% of people on other types of contract.
FILM SHOWS DAILY STRUGGLE
It’s an issue explored in Ken Loach’s new film, Sorry We Missed You, which tells the story of delivery worker Ricky and his wife Abbie, a nurse, both on zero hours contracts, and the huge strain this puts on their family life.
The industry most affected by zero hours contracts is accommodation and food, with 24% of workers on this type of contract. It’s followed by health and social work – including carers like Abbie – at 17% of workers, plus transport, arts and other services – which includes delivery drivers like Ricky – at 15%.