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The Government has published guidance to help employers and the recruitment sector prepare for the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations.
The guidance, which has been produced in partnership with a wide range of businesses, trade unions and recruitment agency representatives, will help hirers and agencies understand the requirements of the Regulations. Separate guidance for agency workers will be published shortly.
The Regulations implement the EU Agency Workers Directive as agreed in 2008 following social partner agreement between the CBI and TUC. These will come into force in the UK on 1st October 2011. They will give agency workers the right to the same basic employment and working conditions as if they had been recruited directly by the hirer - if and when they complete a 12 week qualifying period in a job.
Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), Kevin Green said: "Implementation will create some challenges, but the regulations do not fundamentally impact on the crucial flexibility that agency work provides. The publication of the guidance is the latest milestone - it is now up to agencies and employers to come together and make it work.”