The decision by European politicians to end the UK’s opt-out of the Working Time Directive has left the recruitment industry fearing a similar ruling on the Agency Workers Directive.

The employment committee of the European Parliament voted to remove the clause, which gives employees the choice of working in excess of 48 hours.

Now the UK recruitment industry trade body, the REC, fears that the committee will support the Agency Workers Directive, which calls for equal pay and conditions for temps.

Tom Hadley, director of external relations at the REC, said: “What is worrying is that there is a strong focus on more protectionism in the European Parliament.

“This is a reminder there is still support for old-school social models.

“The same employment committee will be discussing the Agency Workers Directive – this is some cause for concern.”

The proposals will go before the full Parliament this month and could then be ratified by the EU Council of Ministers.

If the measures get beyond this final hurdle, they are expected to come into force in 2010.

Mike Emmott, employee relations adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, said: “Our research showed that the majority of long-hours workers don’t want the opt-out removed. People who choose to work long hours should be allowed to do so.

“It is interesting that the unions are opposed to these reforms. We suspect, on the strength of our research amongst long-hours workers, that they recognise that their officials would face strong opposition from their members in most workplaces if they were to seek to conclude agreements banning individual opt-outs.”