Labour Leader Condemns Sports Direct Contracts
Photos sourced from Facebook
The labour leader has condemned sportswear company Sports Direct, owned by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, over their continued use of zero hours contracts.
By Calum Archibald
Sports Direct employ nearly 90% of their employees on zero hour contracts, which mean that they have no guarantee of work, unpredictable working hours and no right to sick pay or maternity pay, and no right to claim unfair dismissal. Miliband criticised this, stating, “If you work regular hours, you will have the legal right to regular contracts."
A spokesperson for Business Secretary Vince Cable has said that they are currently assessing zero hour contracts under an employment review which was commissioned in February.
Sports Direct have responded by saying that it is reviewing ‘core employment procedures’ although they are not expected to make any major changes to their employment contracts.
Miliband went on to say that inequality has stretched even further, lamenting the “zero-zero economy: zero-hours contacts and zero tax for those at the top."
Miliband isn't the only one to pick up on the current work ethics in place at Sports Direct. Many people on Facebook have publicly displayed their anger against the companies approach to their staff;
One Facebook User said, ''I used to shop with you, sorry but I have ethics and there are plenty of decent companies out there. TREAT YOUR STAFF WITH RESPECT''
In response to poor service received to him by Sports Direct staff, another Facebook user said ''I'd take ages if I was being exploited with a zero hour contract. News says sports direct is the worse place to work.''
