The Ontario government is further strengthening the rights of temporary workers by introducing legislation that would make it possible for them to accept full-time work from temporary employers.

The government has already passed a regulation that will ensure temporary workers have the same rights to holiday pay as other workers, legislation that would take effect Jan. 2.

The legislation being introduced Tuesday would, if passed, amend the Employment Standards Act so temporary workers from agencies aren't prevented from accepting permanent jobs when employers want to hire them. The proposed legislation also gives "elect-to-work" employees like temporary ones the same rights to notice of termination and severance pay.

"We want to ensure that Ontario's employment legislation reflects the realities of today's workplace and labour market in a balanced way, and that employees working through temporary help agencies are properly protected under the law," Labour Minister Peter Fonseca says in a statement.

There are about 700,000 temporary workers in Ontario.

Deena Ladd, co-ordinator of the Workers' Action Centre, which has been pushing for the changes, was pleased with the announcement.

"These are all the things that many of our members have been speaking up with for years, so this is a good day for our members," said Ladd.