Congress Calls for Better Regulation of Employment Agencies
7 Apr 2005
Congress today (April 7) called for improved regulation of recruitment and placement agencies, to ensure protection of workers' rights and avoid a 'race to the bottom' on pay and conditions.
Speaking at the National Recruitment Federation Conference, Esther Lynch, Congress Legislation and Public Affairs Officer said: "Reputable companies have high standards and treat workers with dignity and respect - but less scrupulous companies do not. Affiliates have brought to the attention of Congress examples of hiring and placement activities that are exploitative, demeaning and intolerable.
"It would be unacceptable to Congress if a situation developed whereby cowboy employment agencies could carry on exploiting workers without fear of prosecution or legal sanction."
Esther Lynch went on to call for a tightening of the law to give certainty to employees as to the identity of their employer, as this would help ensure that agency workers would have some recourse in the event of difficulties arising.
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