This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7258109.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Brown faces agency work rebellion | Brown faces agency work rebellion |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown could face his biggest Commons rebellion since becoming prime minister over a bill to give agency workers more rights. | |
| More than one million people are employed via agencies, which means they do not get benefits such as sick pay. | More than one million people are employed via agencies, which means they do not get benefits such as sick pay. |
| MPs are due to debate a private member's bill which aims to give them the same rights as permanent staff. | MPs are due to debate a private member's bill which aims to give them the same rights as permanent staff. |
| About 130 Labour backbenchers support the bill but government opposition means it is unlikely to be passed. | About 130 Labour backbenchers support the bill but government opposition means it is unlikely to be passed. |
| However, ministers have offered to set up a commission to find a compromise. | However, ministers have offered to set up a commission to find a compromise. |
| 'Scattergun' | |
| The bill, tabled by Labour's Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, also has the support of trade unions but is opposed by business leaders. | The bill, tabled by Labour's Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, also has the support of trade unions but is opposed by business leaders. |
| The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said it could lead to job losses and make the country less competitive and the workforce less flexible. | |
| Deputy director general John Cridland told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the bill's approach was "scattergun" and that more discussion was needed. | |
| He said: "Rogue operators need to be dealt with. That's an issue of enforcement... coming down hard on people who give employers a bad name." | |
| 'Insecurity' | |
| But Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of the Unite union, said: "Agency workers don't go into five different employers five days running. | |
| "Typically they will work for the same employer for six, nine, 12, 18 months, or even two years, in poorer conditions of employment." | |
| Mr Dromey added there was a "growing number of agency workers living in semi-permanent insecurity". | |
| In December, EU ministers failed to reach an agreement on legislation that would have given temporary workers, such as those employed through agencies, similar rights to permanent staff across Europe. | In December, EU ministers failed to reach an agreement on legislation that would have given temporary workers, such as those employed through agencies, similar rights to permanent staff across Europe. |
| The UK opposed the proposals, saying it would damage the country's flexible labour market and hit jobs, but the legislation will be discussed again this year. | The UK opposed the proposals, saying it would damage the country's flexible labour market and hit jobs, but the legislation will be discussed again this year. |
| The CBI warned that new rights for agency staff discussed by the EU employment ministers would cost up to 250,000 jobs. | The CBI warned that new rights for agency staff discussed by the EU employment ministers would cost up to 250,000 jobs. |
| The union Unite is campaigning for equal rights for agency workers, saying there should be a "level playing field" with permanently employed people. | The union Unite is campaigning for equal rights for agency workers, saying there should be a "level playing field" with permanently employed people. |