Miliband criticises Sports Direct over zero-hours contracts 15 November 2014 Last updated at 22:53 GMT Retailer Sports Direct has dismissed criticism by Ed Miliband of its use of zero-hours contracts. The Labour leader called it a "terrible place to work" and pledged to ban "the exploitation" of such contracts. Labour claims 17,000 of Sports Direct's 20,000 UK staff are not guaranteed regular hours. Joe Lynam reports. surprised no skunks hoss punchers were singled out
Ashley has broken no laws. He's run his business to maximum profit. Yes it's highly unethical but he didn't create the system, he used it. The dealer can't really complain about the player playing his hand to maximum effect. Do something Edward, don't just bitch and moan.
The problem with Zero Hour contracts is that they are an integral part of society, they'll never go away. They exist in all walks of life, including the NHS, SD is just one of many. McDonalds has an estimated 80,000 on Zero Hours. The list is endless. Stewards etc, at Football Grounds and the like, will more than probably be employed in this way. My problem with Miliband is that he was part of a Labour Government that did sod all to change the system, they chose to do nothing when they had the power to so something. In fact they perpetuated the problem and let it grow out of control under their stewardship. A bit late to start having a dig now.
Tories brought it in originally and have done f** all about it this government. Bit harsh to single out Labour especially as it wasn't a problem then because companies didn't abuse the system as much. Financial crisis changed everything, Labour booted out Tory's step in and do f** all. Meanwhile Fat Mike and his kindred spirits do away with the majority of their full and part time contracts to abuse the system and keep decent people hanging on a string. Zero hour contracts (Thanks Major) are not an integral part of society, they're a cancer. They're not needed, if an employer only wants an employer to work one seven hour shift a week, the contract should reflect a minimum of 7 hours a week. That's just giving an employee the security their democracy owes them imo.
We'd get true representation of unemployment in the country. Companies would be forced to slash their rosters down, people who weren't getting any hours anyway but in terms of targets and statistics were classed as employed would suddenly be a mark in the unemployed category. That's why the Tories have done nowt, it's been convenient for them in fixing their figures. You can see what will happen though, A party with the balls to do something about it will eventually come in, and when the unemployed figures are bumped up as a result under the new government, the Tories will be pointing their fingers blaming others. ****ing hate Tories me, cowardly spineless ****ing pricks.
Labour and Miliband are the only party that have stated they are going to tighten the rules on zero hours contracts...Good on you Ed...
Zero hours contracts means that people can't plan for the future, so less houses bought, less things bought for the houses, so in the long term they are bad for the economy of the nation..
I agree with much of what you say. The Tories may have brought the policy in, in the first place, but, the so called Labour Party was in power for 13 years and did little to affect change. They could have made a difference with The Working Time Directive and Minimum Wage Regulations in the late 90's but left big loopholes that became evident years later, long before the latest Tory lot came in. As a Unison Rep. for many years, it was exasperating at times to see what was going on with New Labour as it was, not really giving two f**** about the issue. You cant just whitewash the part Labour have played. In truth, both parties have been as bad as each other, with little thought given how to address the issue. If Miliband is sincere, good luck to him, and it could be a platform for him to build on. Either way, I will continue to vote Labour.
I agree, Flip side is it will expose the lack of employment and industry in this country, some thing again, the Tories have done f** all about. Building housing in and around London was their contribution to that. Pathetic. This Government has done nowt. they've still done nothing about the big companies dodging tax, they've still nothing about boardroom bonus, working families are still relying on food banks, zero hour contracts are still preventing people from planing for the future and stimulation the economy. To top it all they have to rely on a Canadian to the fix our economy as the thick toffs are just thick toffs. They've u-turned while spending the tax payers money on poor or unfit policies only to scrap them flushing money round the drain, oh they've done that to their hearts content. They're given the rich tax breaks no problem. What is it is they said to get in? They said we as a country would stop borrowing. They've borrowed from start to finish. I hope to god we see the back of Cameron this election. The bloke is ****ing scum bag with no heart.
it wasn't being abused when labour was in power like it wasn't under Major when it was introduced, why? The hours were there, they economy was strong and business was booming, it's post financial crisis where it's been abused on a massive scale. That's Cameron's turf marra. They are as bad as each other, both Party's gave and always have given the bankers far too much power. And that was the root of all our problems imo. I'll vote Labour too, god help us.
