ZERO-HOUR CONTRACTS: LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS IN LABOUR LAW

AUTHOR – ANANYA SHARMA & GITARTHI CHANDRA

STUDENTS AT SYMBIOSIS LAW SCHOOL, HYDERABAD

BEST CITATION – ANANYA SHARMA & GITARTHI CHANDRA, ZERO-HOUR CONTRACTS: LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS IN LABOUR LAW, ILE LABOUR LAW REVIEW, 4 (1) OF 2025, PG. 46-55, APIS – 3920 – 0009 | ISSN – 2583-6161.

ABSTRACT

The issue of Zero-Hour Contracts (ZHCs) has separated views concerning employee rights, job security, and employer freedom. ZHCs are widespread in sectors where the work force has to be flexible. There ZHCs allow businesses to operate efficiently, however, workers are often left in desperate situations without adequate income, social security, or legal protections. In this paper, we explore the legal bounds of ZHCs and how different countries approach them, in the ZHCs are recognized as legally permissible in the United Kingdom, although provisions are in place for protection against undue exploitation. The European union supporters for stronger labour protection and has countries like France and Germany instituting some obstructions for the sake of employment safety. On the other hand, Australia and New Zealand do have those restrictions, but provide much less over minimum wage and a guaranteed number of hours for casual employees. And in the USA, the system of at-will employment engenders the same conditions as ZHCs, although, there is some federal regulation of labour which supplies a degree of protection. ZHCs reflect certain ethics of striking a balance between economic flexibility and worker welfare. Opponents claim that this type of contract negatively affects job security, psychological heath, and even remuneration, while supporters assert that it aids in tackling joblessness and provides greater mobility to the employed. This analysis compares all of these factors and points out that there is a need for laws aimed at curbing abuse of flexible working conditions without losing their advantages. After studying zero-hour contracts, this research recommends policies that offer adequate legal safeguards against discrimination, protection of income, and ensure social benefit for zero-hour workers without compromising economic activity in the labour market.

KEYWORDS – Zero-Hour Contracts, Employment, Workers’ Rights, Job Security, Gig Workers, Economic Justifications.