date: 20 May 2008

embargo: For immediate release

TUC on agency workers agreement

The TUC Executive today (Tuesday) agreed a proposed joint statement with the Government and the CBI on agency workers, subject to agreement by the TUC General Council, which meets later this week.

The joint statement represents a breakthrough after six years of deadlock and paves the way for a European Directive to deliver equal treatment rights for agency workers after a 12-week qualifying period.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Today's agreement is a victory for union campaigning. The issue of agency workers has been crying out for attention for far too long. Too many agency workers in the UK face unfair treatment and injustice. The agreement now opens the door to the much stronger legal protection that agency workers deserve, as our Commission on Vulnerable Employment so graphically highlighted.'

TUC President Dave Prentis said: 'This is good news for agency workers, particularly those in workplaces where low pay, long hours and exploitation are the norm. Not all agency workers get a bad deal at work, but those that do, deserve the full backing of the law, and this agreement brings that protection a step closer.'

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
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Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 20 May 2008