Trade union warns that over 30,000 NHS workers trapped on zero-hour contracts

Recent data released suggests that over 30,000 NHS workers in England are trapped on zero-hour contracts, although trade union GMB have said that the true number is likely to be higher because the statistics do not include outsourced workers.

Critics say the contracts are put in place in order to avoid pension contributions and holiday pay, and to undercut wages.

Rehana Azam, GMB’s national officer, said “The NHS is under enormous pressure and cuts and privatisation are linked to a rise in so-called gig economy working.

“If you are employed on a zero hours contract then you are denied financial security and the right to predict your hours, and they can make it impossible to access mortgages.

“A pressured, demoralised and casualised workforce will end up impacting on patient care. Zero hours contracts have no place in the NHS or elsewhere, and these figures may represent the tip of the iceberg.”

Nye Cominetti, economic analyst at the Resolution Foundation, said there was no indication that the contracts would cease in the foreseeable future.

He added “Both awareness and use of zero-hours contracts grew rapidly in the wake of the financial crisis, and around 800,000 people are currently estimated to be on one.

“A tight labour market in recent years has helped curb the rise of atypical work. But unless policy changes they are likely to be a small, but significant, part of our labour market for the foreseeable future.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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