Great Britain: businesses to recruit fewer temps after the implementation of the European directive

Equal treatment. This law, hardly negotiated, first at European level and then between the social partners during the two consultations, is now in the hands of the Parliament (see our dispatch No. 090984). Mentioning the “Agency Workers Regulations 2010” transposing the European directive on temporary work, Minister for Business Pat McFadden highlighted that it was going to be fairer for agency workers while maintaining flexibility, which characterizes the British labor market. For the first time, agency workers will be treated as the company’s permanent workers in terms of working and employment conditions after 12 weeks in the job. Pay rights will not only apply to basic hourly wages but also to any remuneration granted in exchange for work performed, including wages, commissions and so on. However, these rights won’t cover some of the advantages permanent employees have because of the duration of employment, such as corporate pensions or sick pay. Besides, from the first day of the assignment, agency workers will have access to internal job offers and be entitled to on-site services, such as transportation or childcare services.