A SUMMIT aimed at tackling the growth zero-hour contracts will be held on Friday (December 5).

The Northern Trades Union Congress (TUC) will hold a seminar on the need for what it calls “decent jobs” at County Hall, Durham, from 12.30pm to 4pm.

Speakers include Labour’s Easington MP Grahame Morris and North-East MEP Jude Kirton-Darling.

Durham University postgraduate student Marjorie Libourel will present new research into the impact of zero-hours contracts on the people of Seaham, County Durham.

Neil Foster, Northern TUC policy and campaigns officer, said: “Too many of the new jobs created in recent years have been low paid, insecure and not providing enough hours.

“There are more and more examples of employers exploiting the high unemployment in regions like ours by adopting zero-hour contracts within their workforce.

“Rather than be a temporary tool coming out of recession this form of work is becoming more and more common and it just isn’t sustainable for many people.

“The research launched at this event will give examples from County Durham of the devastating impact this type of work has on people’s lives and the toll it takes on their families too.

“This timely event will unite trade unions and politicians committed to tackling this abusive form of employment practice and who want to improve the quality of jobs created in the future.”