Clause 1
Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill
10:45 am
Frank Doran (Aberdeen North, Labour)
I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. Such matters are open to debate and argument, which is why we are here.
I believe strongly that employment agencies should be included. If they are excluded, there would be a route for disreputable business to get underneath the terms of the Bill and to avoid the provisions that we trying to implement. That would be unfortunate and it would completely undermine the process. I am sure that we will have plenty of opportunity to discuss later the serious problems facing those at the lower end of the employment spectrum who do not get the rate for the job, who operate under appalling terms and conditions, and—going against one of the Government’s main employment objectives: to improve the skills of the work force—who tend not to be trained. We have a substantial cohort of vulnerable workers. If removing the legislation’s application to employment agencies drove a coach and horses through that protection, I would be extremely concerned.