PROPOSED legislation that would give temporary employees the same rights as directly employed full-time staff could damage UK business and hit temp workers, according to a local recruitment firm.

The Temporary Agency Workers -Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment - Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, is intended to give agency workers the same consideration as directly employed staff on issues including basic wages, sick pay, holiday pay, pension schemes and training.

A coalition of major trade unions, including the Transport and General Workers Union, believe that the bill will ensure greater protection for temporary workers against unscrupulous employers, preventing them from undercutting the pay and conditions of afforded to full-time staff.

But the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has warned that the changes will create even more bureaucracy for employers and agencies by considerably reducing some of the benefit and tax concessions historically associated with using temporary staff.

Christine Green, managing director of Staff UK, based in Bark Street East, Bolton, said: "We obviously support any move to ensure that temporary workers are treated fairly and equitably and given the same care and consideration as full-time directly employed staff.

"But we would caution against any withdrawal of tax concessions, because doing so will make temporary recruitment costs prohibitive for employers.

"There are many advantages to using an agency to fill gaps or busy periods on a temporary basis - we take on all the risk, administration and responsibility for those workers, allowing the company to just get on with what they're good at."

"Any significant change in the legislation is likely to result in limiting the opportunities and flexibility currently enjoyed by temporary workers who have chosen this type of work because it suits their lifestyle or working preferences.

"It may result in a whole segment of the UK workforce struggling to find flexible positions to match their own unique requirements."