Employment plans should 'not affect contractors'

Posted on 20 October 2008

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Proposed employment legislation must not affect contractors, it has been claimed.

Andrew Miller, a British member of parliament, states the European Union's plans for temporary workers to be given the same rights as employees should not apply to those who use umbrella companies, reports Contractoruk.com.

Mr Miller, who has himself put forward plans for the proposal to be implemented in the UK, suggests contractors working through personal services firms should also be exempt from the new ruling, the source adds.

However, while many contractors have welcomed Mr Miller's opinion, some have claimed it will be difficult to put his thoughts into action.

Mark Hammerton, partner at law firm Eversheds, told the news provider there could be a "fundamental difficulty" in omitting certain groups from the plans.

Earlier this month, the European Parliament's employment committee approved the Agency Workers Directive, which will see temps remaining in a single role for 12 weeks entitled to the same pay and holiday conditions as permanent employees.

Category: Contractor News

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