Calls For AWR To Be Reviewed…Already

Business representative groups in and around the recruitment industry are calling for AWR to be reviewed, just 6 weeks after it was implemented on 1^st October.

In a series of press reports, various groups are pushing for the government to review the legislation. The Association of Recruitment Consultancies (ARC) recently surveyed their members and the results were not great for the future of the temporary workforce if AWR continues to be enforced. Over half of the respondents said that they believe some or all of their clients may cut temporary workers as a result of the regulations and not replace them with full time staff. They also expect them to cut assignment durations to below 12 weeks in order to avoid the added expense of full employment rights.

Discussing the findings, Adrian Marlowe, chairman of the ARC said;

“Our survey has shown that rather than protecting agency workers, the regulations are actually undermining the job market for them, yet increasing the administrative workload. At a time when unemployment has reached its highest level in decades, the government should be doing everything in its power to safeguard jobs for agency workers and support the businesses that hire them. These regulations are doing more harm than good.”

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has also called for an early review saying that the directive is having a harmful effect on recruitment prospects. Following a survey of over 460 firms CBI found that although one in six are planning to increase the recruitment of temporary workers, one in five are expected to cut back.

Deputy director general Neil Bentley said; “We want a review next year to make sure it does not cause any more damage. It is in everyone’s interest to help as many people as possible to get into the labour market.”