More East Midlands workers face no job security

More than a quarter of all jobs created across the region since 2011 have been in insecure work, according to the latest figures.

A study published by TUC shows that between 2011 and 2016 employment in the East Midlands grew by 163,474, but of that 41,864 (26 per cent) were jobs without guaranteed hours or baseline employment rights.

The TUC estimates there are now 221,235 people working in insecure jobs in the region – up from 179,371 in 2011. That represents one in ten workers in the East Midlands.

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The TUC says this is being driven mainly by traditional industries – such as education, restaurant work and residential social care – rather than newer sectors.

The study, commissioned by the TUC from the Learning and Work Institute, defines insecure work as seasonal, casual, temporary or agency work, those on zero-hours contracts and low-paid self-employed workers.

TUC regional secretary for the East Midlands Lee Barron said: “Insecure working in the East Midlands has shot up in recent years.

People need jobs they can live on. But if you don’t how much work you will have from one day to the next, making ends meet can be nightmare.

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“Too many bosses in our region are getting away with shady employment practices. That’s why we are asking people who feel vulnerable at work to share their stories confidentially with us.

“We need to keep the pressure up on Government to improve protections for working people.

“Every day unions expose bad working conditions and win important victories for workers across the country.”