Ending discrimination against agency workers
Following a meeting of aides to the Prime Minister with the 15 MPs backing a private member’s bill to protect agency workers and an announcement at PM’s question time this month that further protection was being considered, the Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill has been published in advance of its second reading in the House of Commons scheduled for 22 February 2008.
The Bill provides that from day one an agency worker has the right not be treated by the employment business, or employment agency, or by the end user less favourably in respect of his or her ‘basic working and employment conditions’ than a comparable direct worker is or would be treated. ‘Basic working and employment conditions” is defined very narrowly to include just working time, holidays, pay and work done by pregnant women and nursing mothers, children and young people. A copy of the Bill can be found by visiting:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmbills/027/08027.i-i.html
This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.
