Euro-MPs welcome equal rights for agency staff

20th May 2008

A DEAL to give temporary and agency staff the same employment rights as permanent staff was today welcomed by Euro-MPs Glenys Kinnock and Eluned Morgan.

The Labour MEPs have long campaigned to ensure that those working in temporary or agency roles are given the same protection as permanent staff.

The UK Government today announced proposals to give agency workers the same pro-rata pay and holiday entitlements as permanent staff after 12 weeks in a job. This could now pave the way to reach an agreement in Europe on a new Agency Workers Directive which would bring the deal into effect in the UK.

GLENYS KINNOCK said:

"For too long agency workers have been subject to unfair treatment - receiving less pay and protection for doing the same work as permanent staff. This agreement will put an end to that. It will deliver flexibility for business but also fairness for workers.

"This deal is yet another example of Labour's determination to deliver for Welsh workers. It was Labour that introduced the national minimum wage, the right to four weeks paid holiday, ensured equal treatment for part-time staff and increased maternity and paternity rights, and we will continue to champion fairness and workers' rights."

ELUNED MORGAN added:

"Agency workers often operate in the most vulnerable of circumstances. Today's Government proposal will give them a fair deal at work without putting their jobs at risk or cutting off a valuable route into employment.

"This is a real example of Labour delivering for Welsh workers, unlike the Tories who have revealed their true colours by simply dismissing the need to ensure rights for these workers as ‘misguided and unnecessary'*."

Notes
• * Alan Duncan, Conservative Party News Release, Feb 20, 2008.