New analysis from the TUC has found that Black and minority ethnic (BME) women are nearly three times as likely to be on zero-hours contracts than white men.
The union body is calling for action to tackle racial disparity by including banning zero-hours contracts and introducing ethnicity pay gap reporting.
It warns that “structural racism in the jobs market is holding BME women back, trapping them in low-paid jobs with few rights at work”.
The TUC’s research found that 1.18 million workers are currently employed on zero-hours contracts, characterised by low pay, variable hours and fewer rights and protections for workers.
It also found that BME workers are significantly overrepresented on zero-hours contracts compared with white workers (5.7% compared with 3.2%).
BME women are the most disproportionately affected group and are nearly three times as likely to be on zero-hours contracts as white men (6.8% compared with 2.5%).
White women are also significantly more likely than white men to be on zero-hours contracts (4% compared with 2.5%).
The TUC said it would back proposals to:
· Strengthen collective bargaining by introducing fair pay agreements to boost pay and conditions – starting in social care.
· Introduce ethnicity pay gap reporting and disability pay gap reporting.
· Ban zero-hours contracts.
· Give all workers day one rights on the job.
· Ensure all workers get reasonable notice of any change in shifts or working time with compensation that is proportionate to the notice given for any shifts cancelled or curtailed.
· Stronger enforcement by making sure labour market enforcement bodies have the powers they need to undertake targeted and proactive enforcement work and bring civil proceedings.
Structural racism in the jobs market is holding BME women back, trapping them in low-paid jobs with few rights at work”.
TUC
