MORE than four in every five casual workers on the books at Belfast council are not being offered any further shifts amid the coronavirus crisis.
The council has 197 casual staff but just 33 are currently receiving work.
A further 19 casual workers had in recent weeks been offered and accepted shifts which were later cancelled due to the pandemic.
It has also emerged that of its 226 agency staff, 15 are no longer being kept on. The council has asked the recruitment agency to consider furloughing them.
People Before Profit councillor Fiona Ferguson said she was "very troubled" to learn of workers being out of pocket during the Covid-19 crisis.
She called on the council to resume normal channels of decision-making involving elected representatives.
During the pandemic, the council suspended public meetings and authority was delegated to senior officials with some input from party group leaders.
Ms Ferguson said other councils and Stormont have maintained decision-making by elected representatives via remotely accessible meetings.
"We see no good reason why Belfast City Council cannot do the same," she said.
"We are calling on all parties to force a reversal of the decision on casual staff, and an end to delegated authority to management.
"The normal, more transparent, democratic channels of decision-making must reopen at Belfast City Council."
The council said the 19 casual staff who accepted shifts which were later cancelled were still paid.
It said casual workers are under no obligation to accept work, and the council has no contractual obligation to offer them work.
On agency staff, a spokeswoman said the council has "endeavoured to keep on as many temporary staff as possible".
