A secret deal to push through rules giving temporary workers full employment rights within three months has been agreed by officials in Europe, claims a senior trade lobbyist.
Despite opposition from the UK as well as Germany, Denmark and Ireland, there are indications a deal has been done to bring the temporary agency workers directive into force across Europe, believes James Wilson, a European legislation expert working for InterContinental Hotels.
The regulations could come into force within three months if they are agreed by all EU countries at a meeting in June. The ruling would require employers to give temporary workers the same workplace rights as permanent staff, including equal pay, pensions and holiday rights. So far, the UK and its allies have used their veto to block a change in the rules.
However, Brussels-based Mr Wilson said the wording of announcements made after a recent EU summit indicated that the directive would go through.
He said: "I'm not sure what the nature of the deal that's been done is. What is clear is that this is ill-conceived legislation that will not help either employers or temporary workers."
Mr Wilson said most temps currently choose flexible working because it suits their lifestyle, and do not support regulations that would make it harder for them to find work.
Some observers believe the most likely compromise has been on the qualifying time temps must work before gaining employment rights. The European Commission had wanted a six-week period, while Britain and the other opposing countries wanted 12 months. A compromise of six or even three months may now have been agreed behind the scenes.
The trade fears the regulation would make it more expensive to employ temps for holiday, and seasonal cover. A poll on thePublican.com showed that almost three-quarters of licensees will be deterred from employing temps if the ruling is brought in, while a study for the CBI has indicated that 335,000 less temporary staff would be employed in the UK.
Nick Bish, spokesman for the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, said: "With this proposal, the devil is in the detail, and will have to wait and see what emerges. However, we would be very concerned if a deal was done without proper consultation with the industry."