THE Labour-run Lancashire County Council has been criticised after appearing to offer zero-hours contracts.

Applications are now closed for nine library-assistant positions, the job advert stating that the posts had no working hours and that the contract type is casual.

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Labour leader Ed Miliband recently announced that his party would move to abolish what he calls exploitative zero-hours contracts if his party wins the general election.

The advert sparked fierce criticism from the Conservative Party including from Ribble Valley candidate Nigel Evans and Hyndburn & Haslingden hopeful Kevin Horkin.

But the council has said that there will be no contract of employment for the successful candidates and they would only get paid for the hours they would work which they could complete at their choosing.

The council has also said that the salary included on the advert, £15,941, was an error and an hourly rate should have been shown.

The new roles are based in West Lancashire, Chorley and South Ribble.

Mr Horkin said: “When is a zero-hours contract not a zero-hours contract? I do not trust a word the Labour-controlled county council say. The job advert had been on their website for weeks before we alerted people to the issue. People who were applying for these positions would have been under the impression that they were for zero-hours contracts.”

A spokesman for the county council said: “The county council does not employ people on zero-hours contracts. These particular vacancies are for casual workers who will have no contract of employment, which is an arrangement used successfully on a limited basis here and at many other councils. Casual work is well-suited to people who like to work flexible hours, with no obligation or pressure to work even when work is available.”

A Labour North West spokesman said: “Casual contracts, such as those advertised by Lancashire County Council, can sometimes work for employer and employee.

“Labour’s plan will ensure employees have the right to a fixed-term contract if they are consistently working regular hours, compensation if shifts are cancelled and banning employers requiring workers to be available on the off-chance they are needed.

“The Tories should back our plans to put an end to exploitative zero-hours contracts.”