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I see little or no merit in the Temporary Agency Workers Directive, when temps in the UK choose this as one of a wide range of engagement options available to them (Personnel Today, 5 July).
The reasons they choose this way to work is seldom based on equality issues. Entry requirements or flexibility and work-life balance are by far the most common reasons given for choosing temporary work.
In some sectors, temporary workers enjoy pay rates enhanced by 23% and are well aware of the loss of their employment rights - they often choose to sacrifice them for enhanced benefits. In other sectors, where the pay rate is managed downwards, the worker still has the choice or has a barrier to entry that they cannot or do not wish to overcome.
What will happen if the European mandarins start to hear their permanent employees demanding equal rights with temporary workers?
Del Hunter
Director, SSR Personnel Services Ltd
