The notion that workers are “systematically coerced into working on a flexible basis and that temporary and contract work is the source of all problems” needs to be dispelled.

So says Simon Noakes, chair of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) Construction Group. His comments follow union UCATT’s letter to the Olympic Development Authority (ODA), seeking reassurances about working practices after the REC claimed that there was a need for a “flexible workforce” on the Olympic Games.

Noakes says: “As part of the REC, our group is committed to driving best practice and high standards in the recruitment and employment of construction workers. This includes a specific focus on the health and safety of the flexible workforce, and involves working constructively with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as well as the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC).

“We are also committed to working with trade unions such as UCATT. However, it is crucial to move away from the perception that workers are systematically coerced into working on a flexible basis and that temporary and contract work is the source of all problems. Construction is a demand-led industry and working flexibly is a matter of choice for a high proportion of our workforce.

“Flexible staffing arrangements are crucial to the delivery of most large-scale projects. We support the robust enforcement of existing regulations — this is in the interests of legitimate law abiding agencies as well as workers — and will continue to work in partnership with government and other bodies on this.”