Government to ban zero hour contracts ‘in most circumstances’

The Government has approved draft legislative proposals which include a prohibition on zero hour contracts in most circumstances.

Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor welcomed the Government’s decision to agree to the priority drafting of the legislation.

She added: “It is important because it will improve the employment protections for low-paid, vulnerable workers in particular.

“It will also improve the predictability of hours of work and earnings for many employees whose contract of employment does not reflect the reality of the hours they work on a consistent basis.”

The proposals were informed by the University of Limerick study on zero hour and low hour contracts, as well as a public consultation by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

The draft legislation will now be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for priority drafting of a bill.