Commission to fight for agency workers’ rights

29/08/08 15:15

Trade industry body the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has set up a commission looking into agency workers rights.

The move comes ahead of the second reading of the controversial EU Agency Workers Directive (AWD) in the European parliament next month.

The REC’s commission is made up of recruitment specialists as well as businesses and employment law experts. Its aim is to make practical recommendations to the government on how the new EU rules can be implemented in a way that avoids an administrative minefield and does not ultimately jeopardise jobs – especially at such a delicate time for the UK labour market.

The REC says the commission was set up following the government’s compromise deal on the EU Directive which should give temporary staff the same equal treatment as permanent workers after 12 weeks of an assignment.

Kevin Green, the REC’s chief executive explained: “It is now time to concentrate on the feasibility of the proposed equal treatment provisions so that they meet the needs of employers who value the benefits of a continuing flexible labour market.”

“We have a crucial part to play in influencing the progress of the AWD in its future phases. This we can only do by giving providers and users of temporary staff a chance to weigh up the options and give direct feedback to Government.”

The REC’s aim is to also work constructively with the trade unions on a number of key issues and there is a shared agenda in term of ensuring that any new regulations are easy to administer.

In welcoming the setting up of the commission, Richard Lambert, director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said: “It is critical that the UK defends its vibrant and flexible labour market in these difficult economic circumstances.

“There is much work still to be done to ensure that any new rules on agency work do minimal damage to firms and agency workers.”

Brendan Barber, the Trade Union Congress’ (TUC) general secretary commented: “Workers need protection from exploitation at work, as government and the EU now recognise. The TUC looks forward to working with employers, agencies and ministers to ensure that protection in the UK is both effective and easy to administer.”