Agency worker rights
February 4, 2008
The possibility of an EU Directive giving full employment rights to agency workers is in the news this week. Previously the government as well as many UK employers and professional bodies have been in opposition to this piece of legislation, due to its probable effects on the flexible labour market that the UK enjoys. The flexibility of the workforce in the UK has in the past contributed to the strength of the economy as it enables employers to be more reactive to market and competitive needs. However the Prime Minister’s aides last week met a number of MPs who are backing the directive, who believe that many agency workers in the UK are not treated fairly in their employment. Could this meeting indicate that the government is willing to back down on its opposition to the directive? We’ll have to wait and see. This issue is to be discussed again in Brussels this year, and may go to a vote, in which case the directive may be imposed on the UK.
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