Partner Article

Agency workers - know your rights

The Government has launched a new £1million campaign this week to help agency workers know their rights and help employers know their responsibilities.

A poster campaign will feature in public places, online and in local press, encouraging workers to be aware of their rights. Business Minister Pat McFadden will write to over 13,000 employment agencies to outline how they can make sure they are complying with the law.

Minister for Employment Relations Pat McFadden said: “Employment agencies need to make sure they play by the rules and don’t short-change their staff. An economic downturn should not be an excuse to deny people their rights to work.

“This campaign will help agency workers know their rights and help employers know their responsibilities”.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “Of course most agencies act within the law, but some agency workers miss out on the most basic employment rights, and are among the most vulnerable in the whole workforce. This is why we welcome the government’s plans to make sure agency workers know their rights and to ensure more effective enforcement of their rights.”

Kevin Green, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation said: “The vast majority of agencies are working very hard to keep people in work in a very challenging environment. Agency workers deserve to have their rights respected and we welcome BERR’s campaign to root out rogue agencies and employers who do not play by the rules.”

Information on agency worker’s rights can be accessed via DirectGov, and any workers who think they are not getting a fair deal should contact the Employment Agency Standards inspectorate on 0845 955 5105.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .