Motion on Legislation to regulate Temporary Employment Agencies
Issued : Saturday 13 February, 2010
Areas : Temporary Agency workers
Cllr. Jack Walsh proposed a motion at Waterford City Council on 8th February 2010 calling on the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to urgently address the issue of regulating Temporary Employment Agencies. "The Employment Agencies Regulation Bill was introduced in the Dail on the 10th of July 2009 but nothing has happened since" Cllr. Walsh said.
The Government is failing in its obligation under the EU Directive on Temporary Agency Workers approved in November 2002 and is further failing to honour its commitment to the Social Partners under the Towards 2016 National Agreement.
In the course of his address Cllr. Jack Walsh highlighted the exploitation Temporary workers suffered in terms of rates of pay, sick pay, over time rates and many legal rights including protection under Health & Safety legislation.
"The case of the Gamma workers highlighted the injustices done to these workers" Cllr. Walsh said "many of those affected are vulnerable migrant workers, with little English, and totally dependant on the agencies for accommodation and support".
Ireland, The U.K. and Hungary are the only counties in the EC who have failed to enshrine protection for agency workers in national legislation. All the others including the new states have protective legislation in place.
"Legistation in this area will not alone protect agency workers but in will also protect good employers, companies that comply with all legislation and who value their workforce as a major asset to their business." Cllr. Jack Walsh concluded.
Waterford City Council passed the motion unanimously.
Cllr 
