Coalition proposals to clamp down on abuse of zero-hours contracts would fail to stem exploitation of workers, unions declared yesterday.

Government consultation resulted in a plan to ban exclusivity clauses - designed to prevent people from working for anyone else - and examined transparency issues, but unions said it missed valuable opportunities to take action.

The TUC submitted evidence highlighting how zero-hours workers are dogged by a lack of rights.

General secretary Frances O'Grady said: "These contracts are commonly associated with poverty pay, poor terms and conditions and leave staff vulnerable to exploitation from bad bosses.

"We welcomed the government's belated acknowledgement last year that abuse of zero-hours contracts needs to be stopped. It's disappointing therefore that they've failed to back this up with any meaningful policy to tackle exploitation."

The TUC wants the government to introduce compensation, including travel costs, where shifts are cancelled at short notice, as well as written contracts with guaranteed hours where a zero-hours worker does regular shifts.

"If the government wants to be on the side of hard-working people it needs to put proper policies in place to curb exploitative working practices, even if this means ruffling the feathers of a few business lobbyists," said Ms O'Grady.

Public-sector union Unison called for a full ban on the contracts in health and social care.

General secretary Dave Prentis said: "This consultation misses the bigger picture and we urgently need a comprehensive review into the prolific use of zero-hours contracts."