Sadiq Khan Accused of Hypocrisy
Labour's Sadiq Khan is under fire for what critics are calling "rank hypocrisy" after it was revealed that his City Hall employs workers on zero hour contracts, despite Labour's plans to ban them. The London Mayor has previously spoken out against zero hour contracts, citing concerns about instability and insecurity.
Shocking Figures Unveiled
Shocking new figures show that City Hall hired 32 young workers on zero hour contracts in 2023-2024. These Peer Outreach Workers, aged 15 to 25, engage with the public to inform the Mayor's policies. Tory ex-Mayoral candidate Susan Hall criticized Khan, calling the situation "rank hypocrisy" and questioning the Mayor's stance on the issue.
The Debate Over Zero Hour Contracts
Zero hour contracts allow employers to hire staff without guaranteeing a minimum number of hours. While some argue that these contracts offer flexibility for employees, critics claim they can be exploitative as workers are not assured of a basic salary. The UK government, led by Sir Keir Starmer, is planning to ban what they term as "exploitative zero hour contracts" in a new workers' rights bill, sparking controversy and debate among businesses and policymakers.
Response from City Hall
In response to the revelations, a spokesman for the Greater London Authority clarified that Peer Outreach Workers are volunteers who engage with young people in the capital and are not considered traditional employees. The workers are reimbursed for their time, and the setup of their contracts is described as longstanding practice.
