The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has condemned Government plans for temporary staff to have the same rights as permanent employees after 12 weeks in the job.

The industry association warned that the proposals would pile more costs onto businesses and that equal pay after such a short period would not reflect differences in loyalty and experience.

BRC director-general Stephen Robertson said: “This seems like a cosy stitch-up between Government and unions, but the unions are wrong to regard this as a victory for workers.

“They will see flexible working opportunities disappear yet not be replaced by permanent jobs, while businesses will struggle to respond to peaks and troughs in demand and to cover for absent permanent staff.”

He said that temporary staff were covered by the most important employment rights already, as well as health and safety and discrimination rules.

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