REC engages in Europe-wide debate on the future of employment legislation

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has responded to the European Commissionís consultation paper known as the Green Paper on ëmodernising labour law to meet the challenges of the 21st centuryí.

The REC is now calling for any action on employment regulation at the European level to respond to the diversity of Europeís regulatory systems and the flexibility required in todayís labour market.

The Green Paper sought to launch a debate across Europe on issues as diverse as the reform of labour law, the quality of regulation of SMEs and the employment status of temporary agency workers.

The REC has submitted its response to the European Commission. Speaking on this submission Marcia Roberts, the RECís Chief Executive Officer said: ìWe welcome
the opportunity to discuss these issues of vital importance at a European level. However any Europe-wide debate on employment matters has to recognise the huge diversity of approaches we have to labour law in an EU of 27 states.

ìThe Green Paper raised some positive questions, such as how to improve regulation for small businesses and the challenge of adapting employment regulation to reflect todayís world of work.

ìHowever we are concerned that there appears to be an assumption that those who do not work in permanent positions are in some way disadvantaged. Increasingly workers are choosing to work on temporary contracts through recruitment agencies as it suits their lifestyle choicesî, Marcia added.

ìTemporary work can also provide a vital route back into the labour market for those who are made redundant or are unemployed. Employment law, at the national and European level, should preserve a basic level of rights for workers whilst being as flexible as the employers and the employees of today. It is only through ensuring that this is the case that Europe will generate the jobs and employment opportunities of tomorrow.î

The RECís response accompanies that of its European association, Eurociett. Through it, the REC plays an active role to ensure that a strong collective voice for the recruitment industry is heard across Europe.