The bid to increase the rights of temporary workers received a boost today as MPs voted in its favour in Parliament.

The Temporary and Agency Workers (Equal Treatment) Bill, sponsored by Labour MP Andrew Miller, got through its second Parliamentary reading after much debate this morning (Friday 22). It now goes on to Committee stage and if succeeds will bring pay and conditions of temporary workers in line with permanent workers.

Opposition from Government and Conservative MPs could not defeat the Bill. One hundred and forty seven MPs voted in favour. Eleven voted against.

Unions are pleased.

“This is good news for agency workers as it is an important milestone on the road to achieving fair treatment”, says TUC general secretary Brendan Barber. “We welcome the big turn out by MPs to support the Bill today. It puts even more pressure on the Government to drop their opposition to effective rights for agency workers."

While a CIPD and KPMG report revealed that a third of employers were in favour of the Bill, business groups have been clamouring to oppose it.

“This is a disappointing decision by MPs," said CBI deputy director-general John Cridland. "If successful this bill would harm the economy and put jobs at risk, but we are confident that its deficiencies will be exposed at Committee stage.” He added: “Around half choose temporary work over a permanent job, and many are well paid. All are protected by rights covering working time, paid holiday, minimum wage, discrimination and health and safety.”