IT contractors working through employment agencies will have greater protection in the future thanks to new standards set by the Employment Standards Agency (ESA).

The ESA announced it had won back nearly £200,000 in unpaid wages for agency workers in the last fiscal year, and will continue to protect workers from unscrupulous employers who undercut rivals and fail to pay workers.

For 2010/2011, the ESA pledges to complete 80 per cent of investigations within six weeks of a complaint being received, and submit 95 per cent of papers for prosecution within two months of receiving legal advice.

"The new targets demonstrate our commitment to protecting vulnerable agency workers and ensuring a level playing field for legitimate businesses," said employment relations minister Lord Young.

Reacting to the news, Anne Fairweather, head of public policy for the REC, added: "We welcome the fact that EAS is having an impact and we will continue to build links with the REC's own assessment officers."