Controversial job contracts which ‘exploit’ workers could be banned by Monmouthshire County Council

A motion put forward by Councillor Frances Taylor denounced so-called zero-hour contracts after it emerged that 318 council employees had contracts without guaranteed working hours.

At a cabinet meeting last week, the motion decried the contracts, adding they were ‘exploitative’ to workers and hurt employee ‘wellbeing and morale’.

Yet Councillor Phil Murphy, cabinet member for resources, defended their use and disliked the media term he said created a negative image.

“There’s a lot of bad press about a definition of what are referred to in the press as zero-hour contracts, and these are certainly not those contracts.”

“There is certainly not a sustained effort to introduce these. Every department always looks at the terms and conditions with which they engage people to make sure that these types of contracts are appropriate,” said Councillor Murphy.

The meeting heard that 67 exam invigilators, 35 supply teachers and 24 casual leisure assistance staff were employed on such terms.

The Labour group, led by Dimitri Batrouni, seconded an amendment by Councillor Kevin Williams to ban the contracts if ‘found to be exploitative’.

Councillor Kevin Williams said, “These contracts are generally a boil in the backside of the world. They’re very insecure for those on zero hours.”

Conservative and Independent councillors, including Councillor Taylor, proposed that the original motion be passed without amendment to ensure that all councillors had the sufficient information.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Batrouni said, “We wanted to ban exploitative zero hour contracts in order to prevent the Council from ever being able to force employees to be available at all hours or cancel shifts at short notice without any compensation.

“The council employs many people local people and they should set a standard for all other employers. I cannot understand why the Conservatives and independents felt they needed more time to think about banning these types of contracts.

“They obviously don’t mind local employees working in insecure jobs, unable to guarantee an income for their family. The Labour group care and this is no way to live.”