SIPTU warns of agency worker abuse

IF THE “cancer” of agency worker abuse continues, any economic downturn could see Irish people as well as foreigners will be forced to compete on the basis of how cheaply they can provide their skills.

That was the warning from SIPTU president Jack O’Connor last night as his union launched its Justice for Agency Workers campaign. The campaign comes in advance of the publication by the Government of legislation that it claims will regulate and protect agency workers. The trade union movement is concerned it will not go far enough.

At yesterday’s launch Mr O’Connor said: “The abuse of agency workers is the most serious issue of substance in the workplace. Other issues tend to create greater flashpoints but in the case of agency workers we have an absence of legislation to protect the workers.