TEMPORARY workers will soon be given equal rights to permanent staff in the workplace.

The Government and unions have agreed that after 12 weeks, companies will have to give temps "at least" the basic rights and working conditions as its directly-employed staff.

However, the move, announced just ahead of the National Temporary Workers' Week this week, was criticised as "disastrous" by the small business lobby.

"This is a disastrous deal for small businesses, which rely on the flexibility provided by agency workers," explained Terry Taber, Essex regional organiser for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

"Agency fees and high hourly rates mean temporary workers, far from being seen as cheap labour, are already a costly but useful way of responding to fluctuations in demand. If that flexibility is lost, many small businesses will stop using temporary employees."

He added that the deal, a EU directive which the Government hopes will be introduced at the next parliamentary session, could put business growth that has been enjoyed in the country in the last decade, at risk.

Lindsey Bland, office manager at the Grapevine recruitment agency in Old Road, Clacton, said the new law is needed.

"Most temp contracts are for days or weeks, not months, but when there are longer contracts, the equality will give temps more stability."