An REC Scotland regional director has slammed calls for equal rights for temporary workers from day one of any assignment instead of after 12 weeks, under proposals in the EU Agency Workers Directive. 

Lisa Boutineau said that while she supported fair treatment, the image portrayed by trade unions of temp workers being downtrodden and exploited with no legislation to protect them was a fallacy.

Boutineau added that if the EU regulations adds extra bureaucracy to the recruitment of temporary workers, it could limit job opportunities in Scotland.

She added: “Private recruitment agencies will be on the frontline of implementing the new regulations, the reality being that it will be extremely difficult to establish equal treatment in workplaces where there are no formal pay scales and where it is not uncommon for two permanent employees doing similar jobs to be on different pay rates.

“More than 110,000 temporary and contract workers go on assignment in Scotland each week. Recognising the contribution of these workers is the essence of the REC’s National Temporary Workers Week which takes place next week (June 1-5).  Flexible working arrangements provide choice and a crucial stepping stone back into the labour market.

“It is crucial that the practical implications of any new regulations are properly thought through so that we do not further stifle the labour market at this difficult time.”