WIREDGOV

The House of Commons Work and Pensions and BEIS Committees have recommended the end of the Swedish Derogation, a rule that means agency workers lose the right to equal pay.

This echoes a call made in Matthew Taylor’s report into insecure work.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The Swedish Derogation creates an unequal workforce, denying agency workers the going rate for the job.

“Trade unions want it scrapped. As does the government-commissioned Taylor Review. And now two cross-party committees agree. It’s time for the government to act, and ditch this unfair loophole.”

Commenting on the committees’ call for a clearer definition of employment status, Frances said:

“Employment status is complex, and can deprive people of their rights at work. So the committees are right to call for reform and wide consultation. The time has come for a Royal Commission, including trade unions and employers.”