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The government said it was "committed" to protecting the rights of agency workers at a "constructive" meeting between the Prime Minister and union representatives on Monday morning (25 February).

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said Gordon Brown recognised the importance of the issue and the problems that many agency workers faced, and "reassured" delegates that he wanted to "make progress on this vital issue".

MPs voted last week by 147 to 11 to support Labour MP Andrew Miller's private member's Bill to give temporary workers the same rights as permanent staff.

Miller said it was in the long-term interests of the UK economy to encourage employers to establish a "well-trained and well-motivated" workforce.

But industry leaders opposed the Bill, saying it would lead to job losses and damage competitiveness.

The Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR) said the government continued to work in Europe to reach an agreement on the Agency Workers Directive, even though the UK led opposition to the proposed law last December.

BERR said a commission that reflected the views of all sides, with an independent chair, would be a "useful way forward" on this issue.

"We believe that this is a constructive suggestion to try and make progress in a way that offers real protection for agency workers, yet takes account of the specific conditions of the UK labour market, giving unions and business a voice on the outcome," said a BERR spokeswoman.

She said the government had introduced better rights for workers, with many extending to agency workers, including the national minimum wage, anti-discrimination legislation, working time laws and statutory maternity pay.

The British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association has said the EU Directive on agency workers' rights could have a "serious impact" on contract packing because of its potential effect on labour flexibility.