Union officials face limits on the number of visits they can make to factories and worksites under the latest changes by the Gillard government to the Fair Work Act.

Big employers, such as BHP Billiton, have complained that unions have been abusing right-of-entry rules and in some cases have made hundreds of visits to their sites.

It is believed that under the proposed changes the Fair Work Commission will be able to decide if there have been too many visits.

Workplace relations minister Bill Shorten hosted a meeting with employer groups and unions on Thursday to discuss the new proposals along with the government's already flagged changes around work and life balance.

It is believed the changes will also give unions greater rights about where they can meet workers. In 2008, Fairfax Media reported that male and female workers at a factory in Melbourne's west were forced to hold meetings in the women's toilet area.

Follow the National Times on Twitter