Temps need equal rights, says union

Posted 28/07/2009

Temporary and agency workers should receive the same protection from employment law as permanent employees, a trade union has stated.

According to the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), the rights of temporary workers often tend to be forgotten by employers.

The organisation has therefore called for this segment of the workforce to be given the same privileges and entitlements as permanent members of the team, particularly with regards to areas such as pay.

“There is work to be done,” a PCS spokesman commented.

“I know that other trade unions are taking the issue very seriously.”

The comments follow a study commissioned by the TUC, which found that 18 per cent of temps want the same pay and rights as their permanent colleagues.

A similar proportion said they believe they should be entitled to sick pay as well as holiday pay, while others revealed that they find it hard to book time off.