Law timetable for 2004

The government has announced its timetable for the implementation of employment legislation this year.

On 6 April new regulations affecting the conduct of private recruitment agencies will come into force and the ACAS arbitration scheme will be extended to Scotland. There will be new rules setting out the minimum pay rights of workers on piece rates.

The standard rate of statutory maternity, paternity and adoption pay will go up from £100 a week to £102.80 from 4 April.

On 1 October the national minimum wage will be increased and changes to dispute resolution procedures will come into force (see Back-up, page 25). There will also be minor changes to the equal pay laws and some "technical" amendments to the maternity and paternity leave regulations.