to think that there should be a higher minimum wage for

[Clossaintjacques]

employees on zero hour contracts. And all employees actually on minimum wage as a salary should be entitled to a minimum hours guaranteed work a week.

I am aware that some businesses would find their wage bills increased but I would have thought the benefit to society would outweigh any negative impact on businesses. Maybe businesses would have to be more creative and forward thinking in their scheduling process but zero hours contracts seem to be detrimental to everyone in our society.

IMO zero hours contracts at minimum wage should not be at the employers discretion, if you want to employ someone on a zero hours contract you should pay a premium for the employee to be essentially on hold should you need them. Also the minimum wage is based on the minimum a person needs a week based upon 37.5 hours. So what incentive is there to work when there is no guarantee of even earning the minimum required.

AIBU to think this might help not people get back into employment and help those living in poverty?

I really don't like the idea of zero hours contracts - have seen quite a few of them during my job hunting. As you say, the employee needs to be on hold for when the business requires them, so they cannot commit to other work. Perhaps they work for some people, but it's easy to see how they can be exploited.

I wasn't aware of zero hours contracts but the whole concept is appalling. Surely at least a retainer should be paid for the weeks when the employee isn't actually working - unless of course the employer isn't bothered about a high and fast staff turnover.