Randstad is proposing to divest itself of its operations in Portugal in a move to encourage European Commission clearance for the company’s merger with Vedior.

In a statement released this morning [28 March], Randstad says that divestiture of its activities in Portugal will have "no significant influence" on the company’s financial position or its continuing operations. The company’s Portuguese activities generated €47m (£37.2m) in 2007.

The offer to the EC as a remedy for concerns about a possible monopoly in the proposed Randstad-Vedior tie-up has led to an automatic extension of phase 1 of the filing with the commission has been automatically extended until 17 April. The companies say they are confident of receiving clearance in phase 1.