Q: What are the new laws protecting temp agency workers?

Effective November 6, 2009 there are the new laws protecting temp agency workers:

•    Temp agency workers have the same rights to public holiday as other workers.

•    Temp agencies cannot charge temp agency workers fees.

•    Temp agencies cannot stop a company from hiring a temp agency worker directly or from giving a reference. Temp agencies can only charge a company a fee for hiring a temp agency worker in the first 6 months of a workers’ assignment with the company.

•    The agency must give temp agency workers information about your assignment.

•    Temp workers will have the same rights to termination and severance pay as other workers.

•    Temp agency workers can go after both the company and the temp agency if they are penalized for trying to enforce their basic rights.

Source: Workers’ Action Centre