Mixedreaction toagencyplan
THERE WAS mixed reaction on Teesside today to news that the Government would extend full employment rights to agency workers.
The proposals, which were agreed yesterday between bosses, the Government and unions, are subject to approval by Brussels, but Business Secretary John Hutton said the agreement achieved “twin objectives of flexibility for British employers and fairness for workers”.
Some Tees businesses welcomed the move, but others warned it would reduce job opportunities, kill off flexibility in the labour market and increase costs for employers.
Gary Watson, managing director of recruitment firm New Group - a supplier of staff to Teesport - said he saw no reason why agency workers should not enjoy the same rights as permanent staff.
“I don’t see anybody being disadvantaged by this. We get the same knee-jerk reaction every time initiatives to give workers a fair deal are introduced,” he said.
“If it helps to make workers feel more secure and valued, surely that’s good for business.”
Tony Spensley, owner of the Dickens Inn in Middlesbrough, said he was
“horrified by it”.
“I’d be reluctant to give someone the opportunity of a (permanent) job offer after only 12 weeks.
“This might make employers think twice about taking on temporary staff. We’re a seasonal business and we need extra workers to cover busy periods such as Christmas”.
Under the proposals, agency workers will be given equal pay and holiday entitlements after 12 weeks in a job. However, the agreement will not cover sick pay or pension payments, while temporary staff will have to work the same length of time as full-time workers to enjoy paid maternity leave.
Others were undecided. Robin Davison of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and managing director of Stockton-based recruitment firm Wolviston Group, said: “We need to see the finer detail of the proposals before we can make a judgement”.
There are estimated to be almost 6,000 agency workers on Teesside.
