The Government has reached an  agreement with the  CBI and the TUC that will give  agency workers the right to equal treatment after 12 weeks' employment.

The  Government  is hopeful  that the  agreement  will  help them  secure  a deal with  Europe

on the Agency Workers'  Directive that will be flexible enough to  accommodate the needs of employers and agency workers alike, that is, flexibility  for employers and  fair treatment for the agency worker.  If  the  Government gain  agreement  with Europe  on the Directive  they  will be able to introduce implementing legislation in the next parliamentary session in the Autumn.