A zero-hours contract gives little or no guarantee of a living wage for those employed.  There is no guarantee of minimum hours each week and no sick pay and no holiday pay.

Zero-hours contracts make workers feel insecure for the future, neither knowing when the next bit of work will come nor their total income for each week. Furthermore, those refusing the offer of a zero hours contract may find their entitlement to benefits compromised and those who do sign a zero hours contract may similarly be subsequently refused benefits.

The use of zero-hours contracts does not benefit local businesses in the long term or enable sustainable economic growth. Staff have little or no input, or impetus to help develop the business and may become disaffected with their employer. Responsible local businesses should be encouraged to invest in the community not exploit it for short term gains.

This petition will be sent to David Laws MP and Oliver Letwin MP to address the concerns of people in Yeovil and West Dorset over the scandal of zero-hours contracts.