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FAST FOOD CHAIN McDonald’s has said it has no plans to introduce zero hours contracts in Ireland, after its UK workers were offered the chance to switch from the controversial practice to fixed-hours earlier this week.
On Wednesday, McDonald’s announced that it would offer 115,000 of its UK workers on the contracts the opportunity to move to fixed contracts with a minimum number of guaranteed hours every week.
Its chief executive in the UK, Paul Pomroy, said that “the vast majority” of employees were “happy with their flexible contracts, but some have told [them] more fixed hours would help them get better access to some financial products”.
Pomroy previously told the BBC that a large proportion of workers were happy to remain on these “flexible contracts” rather than move to fixed contracts.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, a spokesperson for McDonald’s in Ireland said the company “does not operate on a zero hours employment contractual basis”.
We have no plans to introduce this practice.
Other companies under pressure for the practice in the UK include Sports Direct, who were forced into a similar climbdown last year after political pressure.
These kinds of contracts have proved particularly unpopular in the UK, with critics saying that companies used them to exploit workers through its ability to change shifts at short notice.
The UK government has shown little appetite to change this, although Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has pledged to ban the practice if elected Prime Minister in the upcoming election.
Zero-hours contracts are rare in Ireland (and there is some protection under a 1997 Act), but a government report in 2015 found that the percentage of workers on “if and when” contracts, or on low-hours contracts, is increasing.
While zero hours contracts are essentially not possible in Ireland, employers are able to get around this by offering these “if and when” contracts.
“If and when” contracts are effectively zero hours contracts, except without the obligation on the worker to make themselves available for work.
Writing in TheJournal.ie, solicitor Jason O’Sullivan said it would be key for this government “to quickly stem the growth of “if and when” contracts”.
Referring to the government report on the issue, O’Sullivan added: “The report found that, while zero-hour contracts are not extensively used in Ireland, this other type of working arrangement, when used inappropriately, greatly undermines existing legislative protections and in particular remuneration entitlements.”
In response to a question on the issue last month in the Dáil, Minister for Employment and Small Business Pat Breen said that he and his colleague Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor “intend to bring forward proposals in this area for consideration by government”.
“We intend to include protections aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers,” he said.
Our proposals will address the issue of employees on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours worked.
He did add however, that developing policy in this area is a “complex matter”.
So, what do you think? Should the government legislate and ban zero hours contracts in Ireland?
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There is no one happy with ‘flexible’ hours, that’s utter spin.
@scoop delivery: I’m happy. It suits me perfectly. But I know I am not the majority so I do think it needs more legislation so it’s not abused by employers but I certainly wouldn’t want it got rid of entirely.
What about those working 19 hours and getting dole to top them up. Employers are being subsidised by the taxpayer. Very common for retailers to pull this one.
Prop joe. Like those on CE.Scheme’s working 19 hours for a little over 1 euro per hour. Slave wage’s.
Zero hour contracts are widespread in the private care companies Bluebird home instead etc. Its used by employers ruthlessly if you refuse to be called in at short notice then you will be punished over the following weeks with less hours. The Government are very happy to see this continue as they don’t have to pick up the extra hours and 3 people will be given contracts with only enough hours for 1 full time job. Heps massage the unemployment figures.
Worked on these zero hour contracts for over 3 years,The companies hire people via agencies some of these companies would be well known Irish and international firms. Working on a day to day basis can be stressful not knowing how many hours you would get for the week. One company I did work for would have me start at 5am and finish at 9am. There was no OT or shift allowance for working nights weekends etc.
These contracts are sickening. From weekly planning to getting a mortgage. Some of these contracts have evolved into minimum hour eg 30 hour contracts per month or minimum salary that is the equivalent of little hours per month.
No plans YET the headline should read!
Zero hour contracts is the same as being indentured.
Most private hospitals in Ireland have care staff on zero hour contracts, they call them bank staff.
Zero hour contracts are widespread in Ireland.
I won’t mention the airline but most pilots and cabin crew are on zero hour contracts.
Don’t work = No pay.
No pressure on a pilot then to work when he’s sick?
have your say