Labour leader Ed Miliband announced the other day plans to tackle the widespread exploitation of temporary agency workers in Britain, following a 36% increase in their numbers since 2009.

His call to crack down on these “cowboy employment agencies” is a pledge that he and the Labour Party hold high on their list of objectives, outlining a portfolio of measures that effectively ban such practices as the exclusive recruitment of wor0kers from overseas countries and close off any loopholes that exist at the minute that allow for such discrimination as wages for permanent staff to be undercut.

In a statement made on Monday, Mr. Miliband said: “Some employment agencies are operating on the margins of the law.” Obviously this is a concern for the Labour leader and his party, with the number of individuals on temporary contracts with an agency at an all-time high since 1997. Wanting to cease the operation of agencies “in the shadow of the UK’s economy and on the margins of the law,” Ed Milibands decision has been widely received and discussed in quite some detail already.

As part of a three-point plan, Mr. Miliband has outlined his pledge to:

·         Close the legal loopholes, particularly the Swedish derogation loophole which effectively allows agencies to pay their workers a lesser rate than permanent employees who carry out the exact same duties. Evidence has shown that even those agency workers who are employed on regular shifts suffer by receiving a lesser wage or lower rate, whilst agencies reap the rewards.

·         Tackle rogue agencies by forcing them to sign up to a new licencing system whereby any deviation towards misconduct and authorities could simply revoke licences on a particular factory or agency.

·         In addition, Milibands’ plan looks set to ban all employment agencies from recruiting from countries abroad exclusively.

Based in North London, Aston Brooke Solicitors offer a comprehensive array of law services ranging from civil litigation and corporate law to personal injury claims and dispute resolution and more. A company that regularly reacts to news and reports within their many specialist sectors, a spokesperson for the law firm believes that Mr. Milibands pledge is one of conviction and determination, agreeing that agencies must respect their workers and the UK employment laws in place to protect against exploitation:

“Measures do need to be made to target rogue agencies operating in the UK today, as we believe that all workers should receive an honest wage within the UK, whether getting the minimum wage or not. Not every agency is at fault but many who source their workforce from poorer Western European countries so they can pay them a lesser wage should not occur.”

Well-established as leading solicitors, the team at Aston Brooke are available to discuss such information with you. If you’re feeling that you are being unjustly treated or discriminated against in the workplace or by your agency, visit their website today at www.astonbrooke.co.uk for further details.