Business warns on agency workers directive

The Institute of Directors claims that the United Kingdom the government is poised to 'gold-plate' European Union legislation after promising all agency workers the same pay and conditions as permanent staff.

The IoD has received advice from the European Commission indicating that the directive should apply only to those companies that have formalised pay structures. This, the IoD argues, should exclude 90% of temporary staff at small businesses where pay is usually agreed one to one.

The business department of the UK government said that the exact implementation of the directive had not yet been agreed.

ESO: Background information: Employment agencies. Implementation of the agency workers directive: A consultation paper http://www.europeansources.info/record/employment-agencies-implementation-of-the-agency-workers-directive-a-consultation-paper/

ESO: Background information: EU 'temps' granted equal rights http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-temps-granted-equal-rights/

ESO: Background information: Brown pledges parity for agency staff http://www.europeansources.info/record/brown-pledges-parity-for-agency-staff/

Website: Institute of Directors http://www.iod.com/

---