ALMOST two-thirds of people in precarious work are not taking sick days when ill for fear of losing their job or not being paid, a new study revealed yesterday.

Polling results unveiled at GMB Congress showed that up to a third of the workforce are currently in the “gig economy,” on zero or short-hours contracts, temporary contracts, underemployed or at risk of bogus self-employment.

The general union has been at the forefront of several employment tribunal test cases seeking workers’ rights for those at gig economy firms such as taxi company Uber.

The study, carried out by pollster Survation, showed that 61 per cent of those in precarious employment had suffered stress or anxiety as a result of their current job.

The same percentage said they had been to work while unwell for fear of not being paid, losing their job or missing out on future shifts.

Thirty-five per cent said they would struggle to cope with an unexpected bill for £500, such as a car needing repairs or washing machine needing to be replaced.

And 69 per cent said their cost of living is rising faster than their earnings.

GMB general secretary Tim Roache said there was a “political choice” to be made in whether to tolerate bad treatment of precarious staff.

“This paints a shocking picture of the modern world of work,” he said.

“That’s a sorry state of affairs in the 21st century and a product of government’s failure to tackle bogus self-employment, the use of agency contracts a business model and point blank refusal to ban zero-hours contracts.”