Temps face the axe under new EU rules

Thousands of part-time jobs could be under threat because of new EU rules, it is claimed today.

The Confederation of British Industry, the country's largest employers' organisation, attacked a planned EU directive giving equal pay and improved rights to agency workers.

It said France and Germany were trying to make Britain's labour market less competitive. The CBI said the new measures would impose extra costs on employers and prevent people putting in overtime.

A CBI survey of 550 companies found almost half would offer fewer temporary jobs because of higher costs.

CBI deputy director-general John Cridland said: "We reject charges that we are anti-regulation. What we oppose is bad regulation."

Tim Watts, chairman of employment agency Pertemps, which helped compile the annual CBI report, said: "More women and traditionally under-involved groups are in work in the UK than in most other European countries."

But a TUC spokesman said: "If times are so tough, then perhaps it should be reflected in directors' pay and pensions."