MORE than 300,000 workers aged over 50 are employed on zero-hours contracts, according to new research.

Campaign group Rest Less’s analysis of official figures shows that the number of over-50s in such precarious work arrangements has surged from 190,000 a decade ago.

Older workers now make up a quarter of the zero-hours contract workforce, the report says.

Rest Less chief executive Stuart Lewis said: “The [increase] reflects both the changing nature of work and the increasing pressure on older workers to accept less-secure employment arrangements.

“We know that for some, zero-hour contracts can offer highly flexible working arrangements that enable people to fit work around other life commitments.

“For others, they are the only option available to older workers who can find themselves shut out of standard employment opportunities due to age discrimination.”

While supporting government efforts on employment rights, Mr Lewis warned that some upcoming policy changes could risk older workers falling into “other shadow employment arrangements with even less protection.”

He called for stronger worker protections in Labour’s employment reform plans.