Temporary workers are unhappy with their current employment conditions, according to a TUC survey.

The survey shows that almost half of those polled received less holiday leave than their permanent colleagues, while a third earned less for doing the same work and three quarters claimed they are entitled to less redundancy pay.

But Kevin Green, the REC’s chief executive, claims the TUC survey is mostly based on perception rather than fact and the idea that temporary workers are systematically exploited and underpaid is wide of the mark.
 
Green says: “Blinkered calls for a heavy-handed implementation of the new EU regulations completely ignore the bigger picture and could result in putting more people on the dole.  Temporary work is by definition different to permanent employment and there are huge practical issues linked to establishing equal treatment in the UK – especially where there are no formal pay scales to refer to.
 
 “Recruitment agencies believe that the EU Directive could add over 20% of cost to the provision of agency workers and could lead to a significant drop in demand from employers. The last thing we need at the moment is to suffocate the UK’s agency market and negate the crucial role that temporary work can play in the upturn. The government must implement the EU Directive in a way that is workable and must be prepared to challenge the Trade Unions’ outdated approach to flexible working options.”

Susan Yallop, director at Adecco, adds: “While there will always be unscrupulous employers who stretch the boundaries of employment regulations whenever possible, most employers are fully willing to accommodate the rights of agency workers within the guidelines set out by the legislation protecting them. Agency workers are a vital element of the workforce and have an important part to play in facilitating economic recovery; responsible recruiters, legislators and employee rights watchdogs, all of whom recognise this value, will always do their best to ensure workers are treated fairly.”