The coalition government this week attempted to clarify the confusion surrounding the future of the AWD (Agency Workers Directive).

Written Ministerial Statement: Agency Workers Regulations 2010

Edward Davey, Minister for Employment:

The Agency Workers Regulations 2010, implementing the European Agency Workers Directive, were made by the previous Administration in January 2010 and are due to come into force in October 2011. The Government are aware of the different points of view that have been expressed by various stakeholders about certain aspects of these regulations and have been considering the way forward.

The directive sets out the principle of equal treatment-that

“the basic working and employment conditions of temporary agency workers shall be, for the duration of their assignment at a user undertaking, at least those that would apply if they had been recruited directly by that undertaking to occupy the same job”.

The default position in the directive is that this principle should apply from day one of an agency worker’s assignment. (more…)

APSCo are reporting that Conservative party members, including David Cameron have tabled a motion against the Agency Workers Directive (Temporary Workers Directive).

One suspects this could be a pre-election rally to the agencies and contracting community, but could be very good news should it lead to the demise of this directive. (more…)

Jenrick IT has just received a further update from The Recruiter, regarding the impending implementation of the AWD. Employers should begin preparing for implementation of the agency workers directive, according to Guy Lamb, head of employment at DLA Piper. (more…)

Jenrick IT has just been informed, by The Recruiter, that the Agency Workers Regulations, which implement the Agency Workers Directive, have now been published. The first public view of the regulations have now been uploaded to the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website.

The Regulations confirm that implementation will not begin until after 1 October 2011. (more…)

The delay in implementing of agency workers directive has been welcomed by the industry, reported by The Recruiter (22.01.10). (more…)

The APSCo political monitor this week reported from the House of Parliament, where further questions have been raised to Pat McFadden regarding the implementation of the AWD (Agency Workers Directive), otherwise known as the TWD (Temporary Workers Directive).

On one hand it would appear that the present government are keen to implement the directive before dissolution, which is in contrast to it’s pledge to refrain until October 2011. As usual when questioned on this subject, Mr McFadden demonstrated faster moves than Usain Bolt to avoid giving a straight answer. (more…)

It would appear that we are no clearer on when the Government plans to implement the Agency Workers Directive. The AWD continues to be ‘kicked’ back and forth amongst front and back benches like a warm up for FIFA 2010. Below is a snap shot of the Parliamentary oral ‘kick about’ from last week concerning the directive with what appears to be Pat McFadden (Minister for Business) doing his best to book a place in Fabio Cappello’s squad as Centre half. (more…)

Further to Jenrick CPI attending a meeting with MPs at the House of Commons, a question was raised at Prime Ministers Question time this week, which has left us scratching our heads again. Only last week we had confirmation from the government that the AWD would be delayed until October 2011, but here we have the PM giving very different signals. (more…)