NEWS IN BRIEF

The Government has recently published another consultation document on draft regulations to implement the EU Agency Workers Directive into domestic law. This follows on from the consultation conducted by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills earlier in the year.

In it, the Government says it intends to proceed on the basis of the CBI-TUC agreement of May 2008 (see weekly LELR 69), providing agency workers with a right to equal treatment after 12 calendar weeks in a given job (whether the person works part time or full time).

It has now revealed in this document that the regulations will not come into force until 1 October 2011 in recognition of the fact that “implementation of the Directive will entail some potentially significant changes in practice for hirers and agencies, who will need time to prepare”.

The publication contains a brief synopsis of responses to the previous consultation on the issues it discussed. The Government is now seeking views on:

• its proposed response to issues arising from the previous consultation
• whether the draft regulations effectively reflect its policy intentions as set out in this consultation
• whether the details of the proposals, as reflected in the draft regulations, give rise to any particular issues of concern
• what practical advice users would welcome in the guidance which will accompany the regulations.

The consultation closes on 11 December.

For further information, go to: www.berr.gov.uk/files/file53058.pdf