An attempt to improve legislation on agency workers has been launched by Paul Farrelly MP. This Bill is supported by major unions and the TUC. It is co-sponsored by Ann McKechin MP for Glasgow North.

Whilst it does not claim to tackle all the problems associated with agency employment, the Temporary Agency Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Bill seeks to outlaw wide discrepancies in pay and conditions affecting growing numbers of some of the most poorly paid workers, taken on by businesses and the public sector through employment agencies.

A draft European Directive to give protection to temporary workers has been stalled in Brussels since 2002, following objections to key provisions by Britain, along with Ireland, German and Poland.

The STUC calls for equal treatment for agency workers from day one, but Britain has rejected a European Commission compromise of six weeks, in favour of a 12 months cut-off. This would deny protection to over 90% of agency workers. Please find details of ways in which unions, branches and individuals can support the Bill at its second reading stage at Westminster.

For further details contact David Moxham at dmoxham@stuc.org.uk

Support the Temporary and Agency workers Bill

The STUC, TUC and major unions are backing Paul Farrelly's Private Member's Bill to tackle abuse and exploitation of temporary and agency workers. The Bill is down to have its second reading debate on Friday 2 March. Parliamentary rules mean that there needs to be 100 MPs in the House that day - a day when most MPs are in their constituencies. We are encouraging people to write to their MP asking if they intend to be in Parliament that day to support this important Bill. You can find out who your MP is and contact them at www.writetothem.com.

Click here and take 2 minutes to send an email to Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Minister at the Department for Trade and Industry, asking him to offer the government's support to the Bill.