The Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC) is today warning that the TUC is ignoring obvious pitfalls in the Agency Workers Directive, after it slated its plans to make the directive more viable. ARC is accusing the TUC of steamrolling the directive through and of ignoring the legitimate concerns of the recruitment industry, despite the likelihood of massive job losses for British workers.
Proposals to give all agency workers equal rights after just 12 weeks are flawed and ARC has devised a two-tier system to protect workers and jobs. Low paid workers would automatically be entitled to equal rights after the 12 week period. However, those on higher rates of pay earning say more than 1.5 times the minimum wage would be exempt for the first year of their assignment. ARC maintains these measures are needed to protect the recruitment industry and encourage employers to take on new staff.
Adrian Marlowe, ARC chairman, said:
“The TUC is wrong to question the legality of ARC’s proposal. We have studied the directive very carefully and there is nothing to stop the TUC/CBI and other social partners agreeing to this proposal.”
“Ethically ARC’s proposal also makes absolute sense. What is ‘ethical’ about adding many thousands of agency workers to the dole queue in the middle of a recession?”
“ARC is voicing the concerns of the whole recruitment industry when it says that the Agency Worker’s Directive as currently proposed to be implemented will do untold damage to the industry and to agency work. We believe our proposal offers a sensible way forward and balances protection with the long-term interests of the country.“
There is growing backing for ARC’s two-tier proposal, including from the Institute of Directors and the Federation of Small Businesses. The organisation is hosting a seminar to discuss the Agency Workers Directive on Wednesday 24 June, with shadow minister for corporate governance Jonathon Djanogly MP. The seminar is being held at the London Chamber of Commerce, Queen St, EC4R 1AP 2-5.30pm.
