By Martin Banks - 22nd October 2008
This should put an end to unscrupulous employers using agency workers to undercut the rest of their workforce or keep people on lower wages
British MEP Jean Lambert
Agency workers on temporary contracts will soon be able to enjoy the same benefits as full-time workers in the same job under new rules approved by MEPs on Wednesday.
The new rights apply from the first day an agency worker starts, although the UK has secured a derogation so that they only apply after 12 weeks. The rules cover pay, overtime, working hours, annual leave and all maternity leave rights.
Vladimír Špidla, EU commissioner for employment and social affairs, welcomed the outcome of the vote on Wednesday, saying, “Today’s vote is a major step forward for ‘social Europe’, guaranteeing protection for all agency workers in Europe.
“This agreement also shows that a Europe of 27 member states can take decisions and deliver tangible benefits for all its citizens. And it demonstrates that when social partners find ways forward together, real benefits for both workers and businesses are possible.”
He also called for “quick agreement” on the two more EU proposals on working time and the recast of the European works council directive.
The outcome was also greeted by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which said it was particularly satisfied with the way member states had solved the issue of equal treatment between agency and permanent workers.
John Monks, general secretary of ETUC, said, “The directive will establish the principle of equal treatment between agency workers and workers in the user enterprise, which will not only apply to national situations but also to cross-border agency work.
“This is very important in the current times of increased mobility of workers and services.”
“The directive also gives an important role to social partners to deal with the implementation and application of this principle in practice, which allows for flexibility while ensuring the protection of workers.”
French Socialist MEP Harlem Désir, who was in charge of parliament’s position during the last stages of the legislation, said, “This is a victory for parliament and for the social partners. It’s a strong signal which shows that a social Europe can move forward and that there can be concrete results for working people in a Europe with 27 member states.”
However, UK ALDE deputy Liz Lynne was not as enthusiastic about the deal. “This deal is not ideal, but could have been much worse. The report, which approves the deal made on temporary workers by EU member states, is intended to give workers from temp agencies the same rights as permanent staff from day one, though the UK has secured a derogation so that this only applies after 12 weeks in a job.”
UK Greens MEP Jean Lambert commented, “This should put an end to unscrupulous employers using agency workers to undercut the rest of their workforce or keep people on lower wages. It is time to end the raw deal for the temporary workers who are handed the dirty or dangerous jobs because of their status.”
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