BOLTON MP Ruth Kelly is pressing ministers to extend the protection of British workers working for British firms to when they go abroad.

She is concerned that employees lose their right when they go overseas. This happens even if their contracts were signed in the UK.

As a result, if they are concerned about working conditions, they are unable to rely on the protection of UK law.

At Westminster, she is to urge Industry Minister Ian McCartney to extend the Employment Protection Act of 1978 to cover UK nationals working for British firms abroad.

The Bolton West MP said: "It will be impossible to protect all workers working abroad, but there is an argument for extending the Act to include those working for British firms."

Mrs Kelly is concerned about defence workers in firms such as British Aerospace, which has a missile factory in Lostock, who are frequently posted abroad to work on contracts.

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