Agency workers ‘forgotten’ by law

THOUSANDS of workers employed through agencies are ‘forgotten’ when it comes to the law, a conference was told at the weekend.

The culture of agency workers has mushroomed in industries such as electronics, catering, construction and long-haul driving, which has created a two-tier workforce in companies, the 450 SIPTU delegates were told.

At present, there are 541 licensed agencies covering all sectors of the economy.

Moving a motion calling for adequate protection in employment legislation for such workers, Brian Duff, of the Cork branch, said the law was flawed as it did not incorporate the rights of agency employees.

He further claimed employers were abusing the loophole and it posed a serious threat to the trade union movement.

“When the next generation of workers, our children, seek employment, the opportunities of getting a full-time, pensionable job will be few,” Mr Duff said.

“They will be faced with going through an employment agency and will be just another faceless number working for an agency with minimal rights.”

Mr Duff also said agency workers were often not viewed as equals by the permanent workforce and were seen as a threat to overtime opportunities.

“Often, agency employees are top of the list when it comes to selection for the mundane, tedious, or dirty jobs,” he said.

He claimed agency workers were often on lower pay than people doing the same job but employed directly.

The motion was passed.