Jenrick CPI meet with MP’s at House of Commons
As a key member of APSCo, Jenrick CPI were amongst a select group of organisations invited to attend a meeting with MP’s at the House of Commons on Tuesday 20th October to discuss the Agency Workers Directive.
The AWD was adopted by the UK government in May 2008 after a last-minute deal between unions, government and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Designed to protect vulnerable agency workers, the AWD will give equal pay and employments rights to agency workers after 12 weeks working for the same client.
It is not clear at this stage exactly how the directive will be enforced once it is implemented in the UK. What is certain, however, is that there will be an impact on about 80% of contractors, as well as recruitment agencies and their end-user clients. This is likely to result in higher costs within the sector and, potentially, a substantial new burden of administration
One of the key note speakers at the event was Conservative, Jonathan Djanogly (Shadow Minister for Business).
Jonathan Djanogly MP is the Conservative Shadow Minister for Business, and leads the Party’s policy on the Agency Workers Directive (AWD). At the Conservative Party Conference this year, Jonathan announced the launch of a new campaign against the early implementation of the AWD, something which APSCo has been calling for as part of its representations on the Directive.
Prior to becoming an MP in 2001, Jonathan qualified as a London solicitor with SJ Berwin LLP, and remains a partner in the corporate finance department. He dealt with acquisitions and disposals, equity investments, joint ventures and company flotations.
Jenrick CPI are happy to report that Mr Djanogly confirmed the Conservative position on the AWD – “The Conservative party looks to support British business and we recognise that the proposed AWD in it’s current form will only prove to damage business and potential entrepreneurship. This is way we are opposed to the this bill and will vote against it being implemented.”
However, Mr. Djanolgy also confirmed that it was the “power of the labour back benches relationship with the Unions” that brought about the legislation getting this far, having brought the motion to the house for a “Friday afternoon vote” ensuring that enough labour back bench support turned up to pass the bill.
In addition, APSCo chief executive, Ann Swain, confirmed that the government is to delay key elements of its employment protection legislation until after the election in an attempt to keep the labour market flexible and slow the increase in unemployment.
Ministers are expected to announce that the European Union’s agency workers directive will not be implemented until October or December 2011 – the last possible commencement date under EU law.
Philip Fanthom (MD Jenrick CPI) commented: “I think it is very important that as an industry (Recruitment) we support any legislation that aims to help and support vulnerable workers, whether they be temporary or permanent. There is no excuse for abusive working conditions in this day and age. However, ministers have to also be careful that in aiming to protect the vulnerable they don’t create an all encompassing ‘one size fits all’ bill that results in business being collateral damage.
Further information:
Go to our website for more details on the Agency Workers Directive (AWD) / Temporary Workers Directive (TWD) .
If you have any comments or contributions, please contact us on 01932 245500 or email Philip Fanthom philip.fanthom@jenrickcpi.co.uk
Tags: agency workers directive, apsco, Confederation of British Industry, House of Commons, jonathan djanogly
