South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has given his backing to a campaign by Dumfries & District Trades Union Council to make local workers employed on ‘zero—hours’ contracts aware of their employment rights.

However, the local MSP believes such contracts should be banned, with workers being given clear contracts and the same rights as other employees including sick pay, parental leave and protections against unfair dismissal.

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said: “This is an important campaign by local trade unions because thousands of workers across Dumfries and Galloway on zero-hours contracts wake up each day not knowing if they will be given enough hours at work that week to put food on the table or to pay their rent.

“The existence and growth of these contracts in our region over the last decade is a symptom of an economy that isn’t working for ordinary families. 

“We ultimately need to see a ban on these contacts and those who work in the so-called gig economy should have the same rights as traditional workers with sick pay, parental leave and protections against unfair dismissal. Until we can secure a ban, it is important that workers with zero-hours contracts know their rights.”

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