A report published by the TUC today (Wednesday) highlights the illegal deductions that are being taken from some agency workers which is leading to pay packets below the hourly minimum wage of 4.85. The TUC recommends the introduction of more legislation to protect these workers.
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) believes more red tape will only penalise and restrict British business and has instead called upon the Government to implement existing legislation such as the minimum wage law more effectively.
Marcia Roberts, Deputy Chief Executive, REC says: We do not condone exploitation of any kind. Many of the deductions identified by the report are actually legal, the source of the confusion lies in a lack of transparency. We fully support a call for greater resources for the DTI Inspectorate and other enforcement bodies, the real issue here is not one of greater regulation but greater enforcement.
REC members all sign up to an agreed code of conduct and workers are encouraged to inform the REC about any members who are acting illegally or unethically. Complaints involving non-REC members are forwarded to the DTIís inspectorate.
The TUC is asking the Government to support the European Agency Workers Directive to improve the standing of UK agency workers.
Marcia Roberts comments, In its current form the Agency Workers Directive would damage the UK economy and British business and reduce the opportunities for temporary labour in the UK. This does not help vulnerable workers. The enforcement bodies need to get a handle on the current laws we have in place before deciding that we need new ones from Westminster or Brussels.
Existing legislation to protect agency workers already exists and the REC has been calling on the government for some time to introduce better policing.
The REC and its members are working extremely hard to improve standards and the perceptions of the profession. Unfortunately there are still a small minority of agencies that tarnish the entire industry, concluded Roberts.
More Red Tape Will Not Protect Agency Workers
Increasing legislation will restrict British business according to recruitment industry
