The government has announced plans for legislation
to bring the rights of temporary workers into line with their
permanent counterparts. The legislation, which is due this
autumn, is a result of recent agreements between the government
and the Trade Union Congress and Confederation of British Industry.
According to the new legislation, after completing twelve weeks
of employment, temporary workers should be entitled to some of
the same rights as permanent employees, such as holiday entitlement
and equal pay. Occupational social security schemes will not
be included and for temporary workers to qualify for paid maternity
leave, they will have to work the same length of time as permanent
workers.
There have been a number of concerns surrounding the implementation
of the agreement including dispute resolution, the level of administrative
burden the legislation will bring about for employers and anti-avoidance
measures. A consultation period and a review of the legislation
at a point where there is sufficient experience of the effects
of implementation in practice are planned.
