Uniqlo, Lush and Gymshark have stopped using freelance retail workers hired through apps including YoungOnes and Temper after a union raised employment right concerns.

Trades Union Congress wrote to the retailers’ chief executives asking them to stop using freelance retail staff following concerns they were missing out on significant employment rights, The Guardian reported.

The letter came as it was revealed last month that some retailers had recruited their temporary festive workers through gig economy apps, which have been promoted by online influences.

TUC said the rise in the use of freelancer apps was “extremely worrying” and was concerned the workers, who are classified as self-employed, were at risk of being denied basic rights, including sick pay, holiday pay, the legal minimum wage and protection from unfair dismissal.

Uniqlo said it had only used Temper to hire staff to supplement its full-time team and had now ceased using such systems.

A spokesperson told The Guardian: “Following a brief trial period with Temper, Uniqlo no longer sources freelance workers for temporary store-based roles.

“We instead recruit for our temporary and permanent positions directly or through other channels to ensure all our staff are eligible for applicable employment benefits.

“We are committed to treating our employees fairly, while maintaining our high service standards.”

Lush, which is said to have recruited fewer than six people via the apps for a short period, noted: “This was the first and only time that staff have been recruited this way and there are no plans to use this method in the future.”

Gymshark declined to comment but is also thought to have stopped using the apps for recruitment amid the concerns.

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