ALL ZERO HOUR WORKERS FACE INSECURITY BUT SOME MORE LIKELY TO FACE IT MORE THAN OTHERS

By Pravin Jeyaraj

Zero hour contracts have always bee a source of job insecurity, with hours that are not guaranteed and that can be cancelled at short notice.

​But, according to new research from the Trade Union Congress and Race on the Agenda, zero hour workers of BAME origin are more likely to affected by the lack of work, compared to white zero hour workers.

Chart from "BAME workers on zero hours contracts" by Trade Union Congress and Race on the Agenda

The research indicates that the proportion of zero hour workers of BAME origin (around 4.2%) is almost twice as high as the proportion of white zero hours workers (around 2.8%).

Amongst male zero hours workers, 4.1% are of BAME origin, compared to 2.5% who are white. Amongst female zero hours workers, 4.5% are of BAME origin, compared to around 3.2% who are white.

Supporters of zero hours contracts highlight the flexibility available to both employers and workers, who can choose to fit work around other commitments. Yet, according to a survey of 2,523 workers, including 435 of BAME origin, 50% of  BAME workers have been allocated shifts and 45%  have had shifts cancelled at less than 24 hours notice. This makes it difficult to plan financially or manage other responsibilities such as childcare.

On top of that, 40% of BAME workers on variable-hours or zero hour contracts reported that had been threatened with the loss of shifts if work was turned down, compared to 25% of white workers. ​

Chart from "BAME workers on zero hours contracts" by Trade Union Congress and Race on the Agenda

Across the board, zero hours workers were likely to be refused a more stable contract when they asked, regardless of ethnicity. However,  of those who asked for and given a more stable contract, less than 5% were white and over 10% were of BAME origin. Of those who asked for and were refused a more stable contract, around 10% were white and over 20% were of BAME origin.