Oireachtas call for end to zero hour contracts

THE Oireachtas has heard renewed calls for an outright ban on, so called, zero-hour contracts for staff.

Last week representatives of the Union of Students in Ireland appeared before the Oireachtas’ Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Employment.

USI President Annie Hoey severely criticised the use of zero-hour contracts and hit out at industry claims that banning these and similar contracts would negatively impact businesses.

“Students typically work in wholesale and retail and accommodation and food sectors. Evidence shows that these sectors are not only low-paid, but provide very low hours - typically 1 - 8 hours. These ‘If and When’ or zero hour contracts lend to unpredictable working hours and unstable income which can have a negative impact on students’ financial security,” Ms Hoey told the committee.

“USI argue that students who are contracted with low hours and on ‘If and When’ feel insecure and powerless at work. To think someone would not want predictability and security every week is a dangerous misconception. Laws that enshrine certainty to workers will not negatively impact business,” she said.

Ms Hoey made the statement as the committee was listening to contributions from the USI, Teachers Union of Ireland and the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland on the Sinn Féin Banded Hours Contract Bill which proposes that workers who consistently worked hours above the hours prescribed in their contracts of employment should be entitled to seek revised contracts that accurately reflected their actual working hours.

The USI has welcomed the Bill, and believe it is a step in right direction in ensuring that those who are studying can have a sense of security and not be exploited while studying.

However employer groups including ISME have hit out at the bill claiming it would impose excessive obligations on employers to deliver hours which they may not be able to guarantee.

Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot described the legislation as using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.