UPDATED 12.44PM: A deal has been all but struck between the Government and the opposition on the contentious issue of zero hour contracts.

Labour has backed the second reading of the Employment Standards Legislation Bill, on the proviso further changes will be made before it's passed into law.

But MP Iain Lees-Galloway said their support for the bill at its second reading shouldn't be interpreted as them intending to support the bill through its remaining stages.

"Until we see the final proposals, we cannot commit to supporting this bill through final stages.

"We will not support a bill that entrenches zero hour contracts in the law."

Minister for Workplace Relations & Safety, Michael Woodhouse acknowledges there has been a strong backlash from some who felt the bill entrenched zero hour contracts rather than eliminated them.

"So, after discussion with the Council of Trade Unions and others, I am prepared to make further minor changes to the clauses around availability and the definition of reasonable notice to close that gap."

Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox says they and Labour have the same areas of concern "around guaranteed hours, around adequate compensation, increasing security for workers who are faced with zero hours [contracts]."