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13/04/2015
SDLP Welcomes Labour's Commitment To Abolish Zero Hour Contracts
SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly has welcomed the Labour Party's commitment to abolishing exploitative zero hour contracts. Reaffirming the SDLP’s strong stance against the practice, Mrs Kelly said that Labours decision is an effective response to the problems experienced by people living on low income with little job security.
Mrs Kelly said: "There can be no half measures when it comes to ending a practice so open to exploitation and I commend Labour for demonstrating that they are working, at least in this respect, in the interests of those living on low incomes.
"Critics of this policy will claim that zero-hour contracts offer flexibility for employees who may also be full-time students. However the reality is that many working on zero hour contracts depend on this income to survive and so this arrangement serves only to provide flexibility for the employer and uncertainty to the worker.
"While some business models may be affected by the closer regulation of zero-hour contracts, it is encouraging to see that Labour has given priority to individuals and families struggling to balance the books when they don’t know how much they will be earning from week to week.
"The SDLP have taken a tough stance on this issue and will continue to support any endeavour such as this that aims to increase the security and prosperity of employees."
(CD/MH)
Mrs Kelly said: "There can be no half measures when it comes to ending a practice so open to exploitation and I commend Labour for demonstrating that they are working, at least in this respect, in the interests of those living on low incomes.
"Critics of this policy will claim that zero-hour contracts offer flexibility for employees who may also be full-time students. However the reality is that many working on zero hour contracts depend on this income to survive and so this arrangement serves only to provide flexibility for the employer and uncertainty to the worker.
"While some business models may be affected by the closer regulation of zero-hour contracts, it is encouraging to see that Labour has given priority to individuals and families struggling to balance the books when they don’t know how much they will be earning from week to week.
"The SDLP have taken a tough stance on this issue and will continue to support any endeavour such as this that aims to increase the security and prosperity of employees."
(CD/MH)
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