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DEL Minister supports agency work

Following the Northern Ireland Assembly debate the subject of agency workers earlier in the month, the REC will be writing to all those who spoke with the latest research on why people temp.

Commenting on the debate, Anne Fairweather, the REC’s Head of Public Policy said: “I was delighted to see that the Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, supported the role of agency work in a modern economy. Quoting our research, he noted that many agency workers choose to temp and that most are satisfied with their assignments.

“However it is clear that not all support this view. The REC is keen to open up a dialogue with those who have concerns about temporary agency work. The REC has commissioned independent surveying of agency workers and companies that use temps. The results of this ongoing research present a robust picture of temp work. Temping is a route into the labour market as well as a vital form of work for those who need more flexible hours.

“The REC believes that the current settlement of rights for temps is a good one. Any discussion of extension of these rights should be conducted with a view to the full facts on the nature of temping today.”

The debate in the Northern Ireland Assembly is part of a wider campaign for an Agency Workers Directive in Brussels. The REC is working hard to ensure that any Directive would not limit the job opportunities that temping brings thousands of people every day.

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