John Denham has hailed yesterday’s agreement on equal rights for agency workers as good news. The TUC Executive agreed a proposed joint statement with the Government and the CBI on agency workers, subject to agreement by the TUC General Council, which meets later this week.

The joint statement represents a breakthrough after six years of deadlock and paves the way for a European Directive to deliver equal treatment rights for agency workers after a 12-week qualifying period.

John Denham, who represents Southampton Itchen, said “This is good news, not just for agency workers who will get a better deal, but for those workers whose jobs may have gone to agency workers.”

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “Today’s agreement is a victory for union campaigning. The issue of agency workers has been crying out for attention for far too long. Too many agency workers in the UK face unfair treatment and injustice. The agreement now opens the door to the much stronger legal protection that agency workers deserve, as our Commission on Vulnerable Employment so graphically highlighted.”

TUC President Dave Prentis said: “This is good news for agency workers, particularly those in workplaces where low pay, long hours and exploitation are the norm. Not all agency workers get a bad deal at work, but those that do, deserve the full backing of the law, and this agreement brings that protection a step closer.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS:

AGENCY WORKERS: JOINT DECLARATION BY GOVERNMENT, THE CBI AND THE TUC
The CBI and TUC have reached agreement on how fairer treatment for agency workers in the UK should be promoted, while not removing the important flexibility that agency work can offer both employers and workers. Agreement has been reached on the following points.
(a) After 12 weeks in a given job there will be an entitlement to equal treatment.
(b) Equal treatment will be defined to mean at least the basic working and employment conditions that would apply to the workers concerned if they had been recruited directly by that undertaking to occupy the same job. It will not cover occupational social security schemes.
(c ) The Government will consult the social partners regarding the implementation of the Directive more generally, in particular:
i. mechanisms for resolving disputes regarding the definition of equal treatment and compliance with the new rules that avoid undue delays for workers and unnecessary administrative burdens for business;

TUC President Dave Prentis said: “This is good news for agency workers, particularly those in workplaces where low pay, long hours and exploitation are the norm. Not all agency workers get a bad deal at work, but those that do, deserve the full backing of the law, and this agreement brings that protection a step closer.”
Ends
NOTES TO EDITORS:

AGENCY WORKERS: JOINT DECLARATION BY GOVERNMENT, THE CBI AND THE TUC
The CBI and TUC have reached agreement on how fairer treatment for agency workers in the UK should be promoted, while not removing the important flexibility that agency work can offer both employers and workers. Agreement has been reached on the following points.
(a) After 12 weeks in a given job there will be an entitlement to equal treatment.
(b) Equal treatment will be defined to mean at least the basic working and employment conditions that would apply to the workers concerned if they had been recruited directly by that undertaking to occupy the same job. It will not cover occupational social security schemes.
(c ) The Government will consult the social partners regarding the implementation of the Directive more generally, in particular:
i. mechanisms for resolving disputes regarding the definition of equal treatment and compliance with the new rules that avoid undue delays for workers and unnecessary administrative burdens for business;