A FACTORY worker has launched a campaign to change employment laws.

Mr Mike Beatty (39) is hoping that other disgruntled temporary workers in companies throughout the area will join his action group to get fair treatment.

Mr Beatty works as a packer and wrapper at cough sweet manufacturers Pfizer Adams on Dumers Lane, formerly known as Halls. His salary is £12,900, compared to the £19,400 that permanent employees receive for doing exactly the same job.

"Clearly it is grossly unfair. All I'm asking for is that temporary workers have rights and are paid the going rate for the jobs they do," said Mr Beatty of Cambridge Drive, Little Lever, who has been a "temporary" worker for more than two years.

"I'm not attacking permanent workers, the majority of them support me, and I'm not singling out Pfizer Adams. It's the employment laws I want changing." He was provoked into speaking out by a recent company announcement informing workers that it has no intention of making anyone permanent until at least 2005.

At the moment Mr Beatty is pressing Bury South MP Ivan Lewis to find out what the Government will do to stop companies taking advantage of "immoral employment strategies".

He wants the laws changed and some form of naming and shaming of guilty companies.

confirmed that he is investigating the current legislation to see whether it is being breached by the way certain companies are operating.

Jennifer Perry, media relations manager for Pfizer Adams, said: "We do not deliberately employ temporary workers to fill permanent jobs.

The reason temporary workers have been kept on is because of a short-term growth in the business over the last couple of years, but there is no way of guaranteeing that this will continue indefinitely."

She pointed out that temporary employees at the company enjoy one of the highest wages for temps in the area and that they also get a range of benefits, including eight weeks paid holiday and share options.