European Directive on Fixed Term Work

HC Deb 21 January 2002 vol 378 c557W

Dr. Naysmith

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her plans to implement the European Directive on Fixed Term Work. [29578]

Alan Johnson

I am today publishing a consultation on the draft Fixed Term Employees (Prevention of less favourable treatment) Regulations 2002. The consultation period will last for 12 weeks, until 15 April, and I look forward to receiving views from as many interested parties as possible by this date. A Government response to the consultation on the fixed term directive that took place from 9 March to 31 May 2001 is also being published today. Copies of both documents have been placed in the Library. The regulations will be made under clause 45 of the Employment Bill. They will prevent fixed term employees from being less favourably treated than comparable permanent employees and transpose the EC Fixed Term Work Directive.