ICTU: Stop blocking agency workers code

THE Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has demanded the Government back the EU-wide code of practice for agency workers, which it has been blocking along with just three other countries.

On Wednesday, the Portuguese presidency of the European Parliament will finally try to bring to fruition the temporary agency workers directive, which, advocates say, will set minimum standards and create a level playing field for firms and agencies operating in member states. According to ICTU, it will mean a temporary agency worker may not be treated less favourably, in terms of basic working conditions (working time, rest periods, holidays, pay, and so on), than a permanent staff member doing a “comparable” job in the same company.

In Ireland, it has been estimated 125,000 people are employed in up to 520 temporary agencies and, while nobody claims all are rogue operations, claims abound of underpayments, withheld entitlements and bullying.