The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has welcomed the government’s Employment Bill which imposed tough penalties on agencies who cut corners and mistreat workers.

The government published the Employment Bill on Friday, aimed at toughening penalties for rogue employers who pay under the minimum wage.  It also seeks to strengthen the powers of the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate. Commenting on the Bill Tom Hadley (right), director of external relations at the REC said: “We welcome this Bill as it aims to crack down on those employers and agencies that are breaking the rules. REC members abide by our Code of Professional Practice as well as the law. It is not right for them to be undercut by agencies that are cutting corners and mis-treating workers.”

The Bill aims to introduce new penalties for employers who do not pay the minimum wage. The Inspectorate who governs the recruitment industry will also be given more investigative powers and access to unlimited fines for those who flout the law.

Commenting on these new powers, added: “Over recent years, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate has re-focused its resources to a risk-based approach. The plans to increase the number of inspectors as well as the powers of the inspectorate can only be welcome by the recruitment industry.

“Our industry should be applauded for placing 1.3m people into temporary jobs every week. For too long the actions of a few rogue agencies have tarnished this reputation. The REC hopes that the new powers and resources for the inspectorate will result in the rogues being put out of business for good.”