The proposed Agency Workers Directive (AWD) has reared its ugly head again as the Netherlands takes on presidency of the European Union.

The Dutch presidency has announced it is to return the controversial AWD to the political agenda. The proposed directive was successfully blocked in 2003 after the UK government, with the aid of trade body the Recruitment and Employment Confederation urged that the directive be amended.

The AWD has alarmed recruiters thanks to its provisions for equal rights for temps, which many fear could discourage organisations from hiring temporary workers because of the increased cost this would incur. One of the proposals suggested by the REC and the government has been to extend the length of service a temp has before they can claim equal treatment to permanent staff.

Last month, the REC published its manifesto and issued it to all newly elected MEPs. In the manifesto Gareth Osborne, managing director of the REC urged ministers to fight for amendments to the directive.

Commenting on this latest development, Osborne said: “The current draft of the directive will undermine the targets set out in the Lisbon Agenda – those of improving competitiveness and labour market participation. It is vital to ensure that the provision of effective recruitment solutions is encouraged and that the UK continues to resist this potentially damaging legislation.”