On Friday the 22nd of February MP’s gathered to discuss the controversial “agency workers directive”, which aims to give temporary workers the same rights as permanent staff.

During the meeting, 147 MP’s voted in favour of the proposals with only 11 voting against the agency workers equal treatment bill.

In response to the vote, John Cridland – CGI Director-General explains:

“This is a disappointing decision by MPs. If successful this bill would harm the economy and put jobs at risk, but we are confident that its deficiencies will be exposed at Committee stage.

Temps already have extensive rights covering minimum wage, working time, paid holiday, and health and safety. Enforcement of those existing rules, rather than the creation of new ones, is the best way to protect a small minority of exploited workers.

This proposed bill would not protect vulnerable workers. Instead blanketing all businesses with its complex and poorly targeted regulation would put 250,000 agency jobs at risk.

Forcing businesses that use temps to pay a standardised rate from day one will be an administrative nightmare that confuses many temps and simply deters businesses from using agency workers. Smaller firms looking to cover holidays and maternity leave will be particularly hard hit, and many have said they will look to their existing staff for overtime.”