A proposed European Commission (EC) directive to give temporary agency workers the same rights as permanent staff is being vehemently opposed by the HVCA.
The Association cites reduced labour flexibility and increased paperwork and costs in its written response to the draft directive.

John Meadley, employee relations adviser with the HVCA, says: "The Association's view is that its members' best interests will not be well served by the introduction of this proposed regulation, which would without doubt lead to reduced flexibility in the labour market." Meadley thought the proposal was likely to increase bureaucracy and business costs greatly.

The EC initiative would give temporary agency staff equal rights and pay to those offered to permanent workers after they have been assigned to a firm for as little as six weeks.

Meadley said: "The implications could be far-reaching, given the hvacr industry's reliance on agency personnel. The Association is therefore fundamentally opposed to the proposed regulation of temporary agency workers.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor