SHOP workers demanded a 33 per cent pay premium yesterday for working night shifts.

DHL Logistics staff from Dartford told retail union Usdaw’s national conference that they should be paid more than day staff to compensate them for unsociable hours.

The conference heard that research had shown that working through the night can affect family life and lead to health problems.

Despite that, many employers refuse to compensate night-shift staff or only give them a “minor allowance.”

Usdaw deputy general secretary Paddy Lillis said many people were so desperate for work they would take “whatever hours are available.”

But he said: “The night shift is unsociable and this should be recognised in pay. A premium would compensate night-shift workers and give people an incentive to work these shifts.”