REC response to Communication Workers Union action day

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Commenting on the Communication Workers Union general secretary Billy Hayes remarks about Pay Between Assignment contracts today, REC Director of Policy and Professional Services Tom Hadley, says:

“The language used by the CWU is really disingenuous. The reality is that the Pay Between Assignment model is not a ‘loophole’ – it is a legitimate part of the legislation that was agreed after significant consultation by the government with recruiters, employers and unions.

“When a worker signs a PBA contract although they are not entitled to pay equal to that of permanent employees all other equal treatment rights still apply –including access to facilities like car parks, canteens and workplace crèches and information about permanent vacancies.

“Signing the contract makes the worker an employee of the recruitment agency, meaning the individual gets the security of a full employment contract and all the benefits that incurs like protection from unfair dismissal and entitlement to statutory redundancy pay. The agency has to pay them even when they are not actually working on an assignment, hence the name ‘Pay Between Assignment’ contract.

“On a general note, recruitment agencies have played a key role in implementing these complex EU regulations that many thought might have a negative impact on demand for temps in the UK, ensuring that opportunities for temporary workers remain available for both jobseekers and employers.”