Giving equal rights to agency workers ‘crazy’

EMPLOYERS warned yesterday that demands by trade unions for fairer treatment of agency workers would push up labour costs by 30%.

There was no evidence of exploitation as claimed by trade unions, they said.

Proposals to give agency workers equal rights to full-time employees after six weeks were “crazy”, the Oireachtas committee on enterprise, trade and employment was told.

IBEC said it was extremely concerned about an EU directive unions want brought into law.

The Temporary Agency Work Directive proposes agency workers cannot be treated less favourably, in conditions, hours, rest periods, holidays and pay.

It was approved by MEPs in November 2002 but has been blocked since then by member states, principally Ireland and Britain. There are at least 35,000 temps working in more than 500 agencies in Ireland.

Brendan McGinty, of IBEC, said agencies made it easier for women and young people to get work as well as covering for maternity leave.

Agency workers were most prominent in sectors like computer technology, food processing, construction, transport and hotels, the committee heard.

The Construction Industry Federation said agency workers allowed “flexibility” for employers.

Mark Fielding of ISME, who represents small and medium businesses, said giving temporary workers full rights after six weeks would wipe out agencies.

“We’re using a service, not hiring an employee.”

David Begg, ICTU’s general secretary, told the committee recently that protecting agency workers would be a deal breaker in the partnership talks.