The recruitment industry needs to be licensed to curb rogue operators, according to Brendan Barber, secretary general of the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

Barber believes that a licensing system would lead to a better relations between unions and agencies, who have had a somewhat strained relationship of late.

"The fact is, there are some people operating on the fringes who don't do the reputation of the sector any good at all," he said.

"We welcome the work of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) in trying to regulate the industry, but I do think not having licensing makes the REC's job harder as it needs to keep a handle on rogue operators."

Barber denied, however, that the 'One-In-Five' initiative, launched last year to protect vulnerable workers, was just a ploy to attract more members.

"I make no apology for saying that we are always looking to build up union membership, but this is aimed at getting a fair deal for vulnerable workers."

Barber told Recruiter that he is pushing for temporary workers to have the same rights as full-time staff, but denied this would take much-needed flexibility out of the labour market.

"People will still be able to work short-term and be very well-rewarded, particularly if they have specialist skills which are in short supply.

"However, the research we've done has told us that working through an agency is not the method of choice for most workers, so that is why we want the status issue to be looked at."

• • For the full interview, see the 7 February issue of Recruiter.