Equal rights for 'temps' may cost £636m a year
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.European Union plans to give "temps" the same pay as full-time employees would cost businesses £636m a year, the Government will say today.
An official assessment of the proposals also warns they could lead to "greater job insecurity" for people in regular jobs and "the crowding out of permanent job opportunities".
Ministers will pledge to fight proposals in Brussels to give all temps who have been in the job for six weeks the same rights as permanent workers.
The cost of giving temporary agency workers the same rights as regular employees will infuriate many businesses. The Department of Trade and Industry has calculated that temp agencies would have to pay £95m a year in extra pay and £31m in paid annual leave when the EU directive comes into force.
Businesses employing temps would face higher fees due to costs passed on from the agencies of £504m a year. There would also be extra administration costs of between £1.4m and £3.2m.
Official government estimates say that agency workers could earn an extra £366m a year under the proposals and an extra £118m in holiday pay and annual leave.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments