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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Tom Wall

UK retailers accused of recruiting young shop workers without rights over Christmas

Uniqlo is among the retailers using gig economy apps such as Temper and YoungOnes to draft in shop assistants for the busy Christmas run-up
Uniqlo is among the retailers using gig economy apps such as Temper and YoungOnes to draft in shop assistants for the busy Christmas run-up. Photograph: Iain Masterton/Alamy

Unions have accused high-street retailers of drafting in young gig economy store assistants without basic employment rights in the run-up to Christmas.

The Observer has found large brands, including Urban Outfitters, Lush, Gymshark and Uniqlo, are recruiting “freelance” shop assistants through gig apps to staff their stores during the busy festive period.

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