The Labour Party and Sinn Féin have tabled a Dáil motion pushing for the prevention of exploitation of agency workers.

The private members' motion demands the enactment of EU legislation protecting the rights of migrants and agency employees.

The two parties claim the failure to introduce legislation on the issue of agency workers is having serious effects on workers in all sectors, leading to exploitation by inferior pay and conditions.

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They have called for the equal treatment of vulnerable migrant and agency workers who are not receiving the same entitlements as regular workers, such as sick pay, pension schemes and holiday pay.

The move comes after revelations that Irish employers are using agency staff to reduce their costs and by-pass employment rights legislation.

(VB/JM)