ARC says no to agency workers' directive now

ìNow is not the time to be introducing extended rights for agency workers, said, ARC the Association of Recruitment consultancies, which represents agencies with an annual turnover of more than 700m, today (30th July).

Adrian Marlowe chairman of ARC, commenting on the TUC submission to the Agency Workers Directive consultation, said:

ìEmployers across the country are struggling to cope with the recession and introducing an additional burden on business now is unnecessary, costly and will simply extend the misery for all.

ìThe TUCís own survey into how agency workers are treated, blows their arguments for fast tracking of the Agency Workerís Directive, out of the water. It shows that the majority are already getting fair treatment.

ì67% of the respondents are paid the same or more than employed staff and 54% receive the same or more holiday than permanent employees – that doesnít sound like an exploited workforce to me. And I am not alone in that view

ìA BIS survey in 2008 showed that 81% of agency workers are satisfied with their work. The Government must think carefully about the damage to business of implementing the Agency Workersí Directive.î