Adecco urges deal on temp workers

Date: 17/10/02

EUROPE'S leading employment agency has urged member states to reach agreement on a proposed EU directive on temporary agency workers.

The directive, due to be adopted by the end of the year, would give agency workers rights to the same pay and conditions as equivalent permanent workers after six weeks in the post.

But some member states, including the UK, where most of Europe's temporary workers are employed, have pledged to fight the directive over fears that it would increase red tape, push up employment costs and reduce job opportunities.

Tunde Johnson, vice-president international corporate affairs of Brussels-based employment agency Adecco, said it was important the agreement was reached by the time the European Parliament votes on the directive later this year.

He said: 'We regret that the present situation lends itself to the perception that the debate has come down to what appears to be the 'UK versus the Rest of Europe' in which the UK is seen to be less committed to the principle of equal treatment.'

He said this was a 'needlessly contentious' misconception.

Tunde added: 'All this said, we wish to be very clear on the more fundamental point - Adecco and our industry remain unconditionally committed to the principle of equal pay for equal work.

'We are most emphatically not about cheaper labour, or replacement workers. We are about opportunity and flexibility on both sides of the labour market.'

Europe's leading employment agency has urged Member States to reach agreement on a proposed EU directive on temporary agency workers.