The recruitment industry bodies include the Association of Labour Providers (ALP), Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), and The Employment Agents Movement (TEAM).
In a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds, the organisations underscored the critical importance of temporary agency work to the UK economy. Supporting around one million workers daily, the sector enables the flexibility and adaptability necessary to maintain a dynamic workforce, it said.
The letter highlights key benefits that temporary agency work offers to both workers and businesses: pathways to employment, economic resilience, work-life balance and flexibility, and business adaptability.
The organisations caution that overly restrictive regulations could destabilise the sector, leading to a loss of flexibility, increased unemployment, and slower economic growth. They are calling for the government to:
- Recognise and Protect the Sector: Acknowledge the unique role of temporary agency work in future legislation.
- Collaborate with Experts: Engage with industry leaders to ensure regulatory changes are balanced and preserve the flexibility that benefits both workers and businesses.
- Promote the Sector’s Benefits: Raise awareness of temporary agency work as a legitimate and valuable form of employment.
- Focus on Worker Protection: Prioritise the protection of vulnerable workers while avoiding complex regulations that could hinder business growth.
- Enforce Existing Regulations: Strengthen enforcement of current regulations to protect workers and support responsible businesses.
“Not all zero-hours contracts are exploitative, and not all flexibility is one-sided,” the letter stated. “Temporary agency work plays a crucial role in fostering a modern, adaptable workforce and is integral to the continued success of the UK economy.”
Original Article: staffingindustry
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