IIM urges continued resistance to the EU's proposed Temporary Workers Directive

The Institute of Interim Management (IIM) urges continued resistance to the EU's misguided attempts to push through regulations that would seriously damage the flexible labour markets which are a pre-condition for economic competitiveness in Europe. The EU Council of Ministers yesterday decided not to vote on the European Union proposal to give full employment rights to temporary workers, but instead to pass it to the next Presidency to try and overcome a blocking minority by the British and other governments.

The IIM emphasises that the British Government has already acted to give rights to low paid temporary workers, who the government was concerned to protect from bad practices of unscrupulous agencies with such workers being deprived of any form of employment protection. The UK Act is in line with EU directives, but following representation from bodies such as ourselves the Government has allowed an 'opt out' clause for workers and executives such as professional interim managers. This has enabled professional interims and other self employed people to operate contracts correctly through commercial law and avoid being caught up inadvertently as employment law 'collateral damage', says Tony Evans, Chairman of the Institute of Interim Management, the body which represents professional interim managers.

The new proposed EU version for temporary agency workers is a major issue for professional interims and others who provide a business-to-business service to their clients and are not looking for 'employment protection' in any way, shape or form, he adds. Any adverse change at EU level has a high probability of being subsequently incorporated into the UK regulations as they are aligned as per treaty obligations. The IIM wholeheartedly supports the current position of the UK and other blocking minority governments in the European Council.

This stance extends to other EU Labour Law proposals. The IIM is also very concerned about the underlying philosophy of EU Social Policy, which assumes that all those not gainfully permanently employed by an organisation are, in some way, short-changed by society. This betrays a serious misunderstanding of business, entrepreneurship and the desire to succeed in today's fast changing global markets.

The IIM is proud to represent the interests of professional interims who have selected their profession and way of life deliberately. The Institute believes firmly in the continued freedom of its members to make their legal living responsibly as they see fit, using their skills in a manner that suits them and their clients.