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Brown faces agency work rebellion Brown faces agency work rebellion
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown could face his biggest Commons rebellion since becoming prime minister over a bill to give agency workers more rights.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.
Labour backbenchers believe they can get it to the next Commons stage but ministers could still block it later.Labour backbenchers believe they can get it to the next Commons stage but ministers could still block it later.
Some 130 MPs Labour and Lib Dem MPs have signed a Commons motion backing the private member's bill and many of them are expected vote in favour of it later to ensure it gets a second reading.Some 130 MPs Labour and Lib Dem MPs have signed a Commons motion backing the private member's bill and many of them are expected vote in favour of it later to ensure it gets a second reading.
Further progress is likely to need government support - but ministers have offered to set up a commission to find a compromise in an effort to head off further backbench dissent.Further progress is likely to need government support - but ministers have offered to set up a commission to find a compromise in an effort to head off further backbench dissent.
'Scattergun''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.The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said it could lead to job losses and make the country less competitive and the workforce less flexible.
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Deputy director general John Cridland told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the bill's approach was "scattergun" and that more discussion was needed.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."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''Insecurity'
But Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of the Unite union, said: "Agency workers don't go into five different employers five days running.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.""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".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.