Recruitment sector threatened by red tape

An open road show to be held at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Thursday, May 30, will urge the recruitment sector to come together to fight the potentially damaging EU Agency Workers Directive.

Organised by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), the industry body for the £23 billion a year private recruitment industry, the event will give attendees an opportunity to come together to discuss the threat posed by the Directive and key issues facing the recruitment industry.

The confederation will be offering local businesses a free legal briefing to explain the likely impact of the directive and imminent changes to other employment legislation.

The employment agency sector has grown dramatically in the last 15 years and now plays a major part in maintaining the UK's economic competitiveness. However, continual changes to legislation including the Employment Bill, employee rights, and proposed changes to the long awaited Employment Agencies Act is making it increasingly difficult for businesses to keep track. In view of last month's proposals set out in the EU Directive, the Confederation believe a 'one voice' approach will help the industry fight its cause more effectively.

REC recently responded to the Directive stating that it would only support a directive that recognised the contribution of the 2.2 million temporary workers across Europe, promoted the industry, and detailed the right balance between worker protection and the promotion of flexible job opportunities. Current proposals, however, only add bureaucracy and additional costs to temporary work. This will make it less likely that employers will make use of a flexible source of labour, to the disadvantage of the UK economy.

Commenting on the road show, Tim Nicholson, Chief Executive of the REC, said: "Changes in legislation is making the recruitment of staff more complex. To remain competitive, recruitment companies need to fully understand these changes, so they can inform their clients.

"To help educate non-members about these issues the REC is holding a series of forum briefings. It is also asking those companies to join with the REC and help challenge the introduction of the potentially damaging EU Agency Workers Directive."

REC is the association for the £23 billion private recruitment and staffing industry in the UK, with over 6,000 recruitment agencies and over 8,000 recruitment consultants in membership.

(SP)