REC leads industry delegation to Brussels

The REC led an industry delegation to Brussels as part as its evidence gathering for the REC Agency Work Commission.

Following the political agreement last June, the EU Agency Workers Directive will now pass through the European Parliament and the REC is leading the campaign to ensure that that no damaging amendments are put forward.

The REC delegation met with Members of the European Parliament and the European Commission as well as representatives from European trade union and business organisations.

Commenting on the Commission fact-finding trip, the REC's Chief Executive Kevin Green said:

“The positive feedback from MEPs, the European Commission and even European trade unions confirms that we have come a long way in terms of the industry's perception in Europe. We will continue to influence the debate in both Brussels and the UK to ensure that we get the best possible outcome for the UK recruitment industry.”

Delegate Jeanette Robinson, Managing Director of Cavill Robinson Financial Recruitment and Chair of the REC's Employment Policy Committee, said:

“The trip achieved its aims of promoting the concept of the REC's Agency Work Commission and checking on the progress of the AWD. There was a positive response to the UK industry's pragmatic approach to finding solutions and it was particularly gratifying to see how warmly the REC's Commission was welcomed in Brussels”.

Tracy Evans, Quality Director at Pertemps and a member of the REC Agency Work Commission said:

“Discussions with the various MEPs and business and Trade Union representatives highlighted how 'equal treatment' provisions work in other EU countries. The meetings also provided a further opportunity to explain the operational issues that implementing the AWD in the UK will entail”.

The compromise deal for the UK that was agreed in June - with equal treatment for agency workers after 12 weeks - could be challenged by the European Parliament. It is crucial to keep the pressure on in Brussels as well as taking forward a pro-active campaign through the REC Agency Work Commission on how the Directive can be implemented in the UK.

The REC's Agency Work Commission will be making practical recommendations to Government's by the end of the year in terms of what the Directive should look like when implemented in the UK.

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For more information, contact Alison Henderson, Press Manager, the REC, 020 7009 2157.

19.09.08

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