Germany: the IG Metall presents its “black and white” paper on temporary work

On Wednesday, September 17, 2008, the IG Metall presented its "black and white paper on temporary work," which is part of a campaign launched by the union on precarious working conditions in the temporary work sector. Presenting the good and the bad practices of the sector, the union increases pressure over the federal government which must decide, in October, about the possible introduction of branch minimum wage. (Ref. 080705)
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Since the deregulation of the temporary work sector in 2004, the number of agency workers in Germany increased from 326.000 (2004) to 850.000 (2007). The number of temporary employment agencies is now above 6.000. In this divided market, the IG Metall picked up the best and the worst examples which, according to Detlef Wenzel, VP of the union, are sometimes similar to “modern slavery” and are “contrary to human rights.” Quoting statistics from the Federal Employment Agency, Mr. Wetzel said that

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