Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband has pledged the abolition of zero-hour contracts for temporary workers ahead of tomorrow's Trade Union Congress conference.

Up to six million UK employees are currently affected by the zero-hours contract, which stops temporary staff from securing a second job with concrete shift patterns due to its flexible nature.

“You and I know that zero hours contracts have been terribly misused,” Miliband is expected to say.

“This kind of exploitation has to stop. Of course, there are some kinds of these contracts which are useful. For doctors, or supply teachers at schools, or sometimes, young people working in bars.”


The zero-hours contract has gained notoriety in recent months, with employees legally within their rights to turn down shifts, employers do not look favourably on unavailable staff.

“Insecurity for the many. Rewards just for those at the top. That’s not my vision for the way an economy succeeds,” the Labour leader continued.

“I believe that what makes an economy strong is not a few people at the top, but the forgotten wealth creators – the people who put in the hours, do the work, do two jobs. We will only build a recovery that works for all when working people feel confident and secure at work.”


Whilst certainly not every one of the five million workers feel "exploited", there are certainly a number of staff who will certainly be pressured into working. You can read a full report by Chrysalis into zero-hour contracts here.

“I recognise, as do you, both workers and businesses need flexibility. We need flexibility. But we must stop flexibility being used as the excuse for exploitation.

“Exploitation which leaves workers carrying the burdens of unpredictable hours, irregular pay, no security for the future.

“And nowhere is that more true than when it comes to zero-hours contracts.”