Agency workers to enjoy rights of full-time staff

THE country’s 125,000 agency workers can expect the same terms and conditions as their full-time colleagues within two years under a directive on agency workers agreed in Europe yesterday.

While the EU council of social affairs ministers’ decision must go before the European Parliament, it is almost certain to be passed.

The new directive gives agency workers the same working and employment conditions that would apply as if they were recruited directly by the company rather than through an agency. The entitlements include equal pay, rights to pensions and sick-pay schemes and applies from the first day of employment.