Scepticism from firms over Temporary Agency W

Proposals included in the Temporary Agency Workers Bill have been questioned by businesses in Britain, many of whom feel that they would place extra pressure on companies.

Under the provisions of the bill, firms employing temporary workers would be required to give them the same rights as permanent staff.

However, according to a report by Bibby Financial Services, more than half of all recruitment agencies in Britain (57 per cent) believe that unnecessary pressure will be placed on firms reliant on temporary workers if the bill goes ahead.

More than half of the recruitment agency bosses surveyed (53 per cent) stated that the bill would create more red tape for businesses and 50 per cent predicted that it would increase staffing and administration costs, Online Recruitment reports.

Less than one third of employers and recruitment company bosses polled (31 per cent) said that the Temporary Agency Workers Bill would have a positive effect and stop exploitation of agency workers, while 34 per cent stated that it would stop some companies from employing temporary staff altogether.

The TUC has welcomed moves to improve conditions for temporary workers, claiming that current loopholes in employment law "leave agency staff open to exploitation".

A poll by the organisation found that nearly half of all agency staff would rather have a permanent job, a quarter of agency staff are working in assignments of more than a year and temporary workers are paid just 80p for every £1 paid to permanent staff doing similar roles.

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Date:13/07/2007 11:37:53