Fairness for Agency Workers now

WELCOME to the North West TUC's campaigning web site for agency workers.

We want fair pay and conditions for agency workers in our region. Many are paid far less than permanent staff for exactly the same work. Terms and conditions can also be far inferior.

Both sides of industry, the Government and Europe agree that agency workers should get equal treatment, after 12 weeks employment. Legislation has been promised.

But agency workers have waited long enough for fair treatment. That's why we are calling on employers to introduce equal treatment now.

It's only fair.

Paul Farrelly, MP: I am sure that my right hon. Friend will agree that vulnerable workers should be free from exploitation, whatever the economic climate. Will he therefore join Labour Members in welcoming the adoption of the temporary agency workers directive by the European Parliament last week? That follows two private Members' Bills in this House: my own and that of my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Andrew Miller), who has also pursued this issue. Will my right hon. Friend now outline to the House how and when the directive will be implemented into UK law, so that it can be of benefit to up to 1 million such workers up and down the land?

Prime Minister Gordon Brown: Members on both sides of the House should remember that the CBI was also supportive of this arrangement. We will bring forward legislation in the next Session of Parliament to implement it. As is the usual practice with EU directives, there will be a detailed consultation on the UK implementation. I think that, given the agreement that has been achieved across business in this country, both sides of the House should support the agency workers directive.