Exclusivity clauses in zero-hours contracts will be banned and people will be able to demand a minimum number of guaranteed hours after 12 months in a job, under proposals submitted to a government enquiry into the controversial contracts.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) called for the changes in a submission to a government consultation, which closed on Thursday.

The CIPD further called for an amendment to the Employment Rights Act that would require employers to give all workers – not just employees – a written statement of their terms and conditions within two months of their start date.

This, it said, would provide clarity on employment status and the associated employment rights. The group’s stance is based on responses from 170 of its members.

“Our consultation response sets out what CIPD believes should be done to ensure that zero hours workers don't feel they are being exploited,” said Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the CIPD.