The Temporary Agency Workers Directive should give temporary workers ‘real protection’ from exploitation, according to the TUC.

The directive would give temporary workers the same benefits as permanent staff after 12 weeks.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber has urged the government to introduce the new regulations in the directive quickly to ensure that temporary workers are protected and that the exploitation of agency workers by rogue agencies ends as soon as possible.

Barber says: “The new laws must provide real protection, and any loopholes which would allow unscrupulous employers to avoid the law and continue to mistreat agency workers must be closed.”