Unite's reaction to consultation on new rights for agency workers
8th May 2009
Commenting on the government announcement Unite's joint general
secretary, Tony Woodley, said: “We have fought long and hard for
agency workers. This directive is good news but it needs to be very
well defined to prevent employers exploiting loopholes.
"During this recession agency workers are being used as cannon
fodder by employers. The government must act swiftly to introduce
protection for agency workers as agreed with the unions. That
includes rights to notice periods and redundancy pay. Unite will
vigorously oppose any attempt to dilute the original spirit of the
directive.
“The horrific treatment of the agency workers at BMW, who were
sacked with a minute's notice, with no redundancy pay, after years
of loyal service, must not be repeated. The directive must be
implemented in the UK to ensure that this can not happen again.
Agency workers have family commitments, they have to find money
every month to put food on the table and pay the mortgage just like
full-time workers.”
ENDS
Contact Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
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