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Agency workers to gain equal treatment
The Government has agreed a deal between unions and employers that will see agency workers in the UK receive equal treatment after 12 weeks employment.
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.
Commenting on the agreement John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General, said the proposals represent the least worst outcome available for British business.
He added: "Half of agency assignments will be unaffected as they last less than 12 weeks - protecting businesses ability to deal with peaks and troughs in demand and shorter-term staff absences. And while pay is covered, occupational benefits that recognise the long-term relationship permanent staff have with an employer, like sick pay and pensions, are rightly excluded".
Critically, Cridland said it should allow the retention of the working hours opt-out from the working time directive, which he said is "equally vital to the future of the British economy".
Source: BERR
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