HR Industry News

MP vows to continue fight for rights of temporary workers

— 9 March 2007 —

An MP has vowed to carry on fighting after the Private Member’s Bill he tabled to bring in legislation to give temporary workers the same rights as employed staff was blocked by the government.

Paul Farrelly said it was an achievement that his Temporary Agency Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) bill had been aired at all after government threats to deny it even being debated.

The MP for Newcastle under Lyme’s bill was supported by Amicus, GMB, Transport and General Workers Union, Unison and the Communication Workers’ unions who all wanted to see agency workers having the same rights to pay, sick leave and overtime as directly employed staff.

More than 100 MPs attended the bill’s second reading in the House of Commons, but time ran out for debate and a vote.

Mr Farrelly said he will make sure people who are discriminated against get the same rights and will flood the Department of Trade and Industry with evidence of the abuses that take place.

A joint statement by the unions involved said:

Without the protection that only legislation can provide, workers will continue to be exploited by unscrupulous employers and this scourge in society will be allowed to continue. 

The debate is not now due to resume until 19 October.

Del.icio.us Digg Newsvine Reddit Technorati Google