London, England – An alarming report has revealed a surge in insecure, low-paid work in the UK over the past 14 years. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) conducted a study, uncovering that a record high of 4.1 million people are currently in precarious employment, including zero-hours contracts, low-paid self-employment, and casual or seasonal work.
According to the analysis of official data, the number of individuals in “precarious” employment has escalated by nearly 1 million between 2011 and 2023. This increase in insecure work has outpaced secure forms of employment by almost three times, with approximately one in eight workers in the UK now falling into the category of precarious employment.
The TUC emphasizes that the substantial rise in insecure and low-paid work underscores the urgent need to enhance workers’ rights and ensure fair compensation for labor. Paul Nowak, the TUC’s general secretary, expressed concerns over the detrimental impact of the rise in insecure work on economic growth, productivity, and living standards.
Furthermore, Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, highlighted the concerning association between non-permanent work and poor working conditions, as well as health and safety risks faced by workers. Wilkinson stressed the imperative for businesses to prioritize the protection of all workers, irrespective of their contractual status.
In response to these findings, the TUC has advocated for a transformative approach to labor rights through Labour’s “new deal for working people.” This proposed plan aims to address issues such as banning zero-hours contracts and “fire and rehire” tactics, as well as ensuring basic rights from day one regarding parental leave, sick pay, and protection from unfair dismissal.
The TUC’s general secretary, Nowak, underscored the importance of implementing measures to prevent workers from being exploited as disposable labor and to prevent reputable employers from being undercut by unfair practices. The overarching goal is to halt the decline in employment standards and promote a more equitable and sustainable labor market for all workers in the UK.