Assembly approves measures to protect vulnerable agency workers

Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey today welcomed the Assembly’s approval of Regulations which will increase protections for vulnerable agency workers in Northern Ireland.

The regulations, which come into operation on 6 April, will give workers a clear right to withdraw from accommodation, transport or other services provided by an agency without suffering any detriment (subject to a notice period). Workers must receive a written statement of their right to withdraw from these services.

In addition, the regulations will increase the protections available to work-seekers in the modelling and entertainment sector where agencies propose to charge fees for providing work-finding services or including information about them in a publication.

Following the debate, Sir Reg said: “The private recruitment sector has made a significant contribution to the local economy in recent years, and the vast majority of employment agencies are reputable and fair. However, there is a need to tackle disreputable agencies who exploit vulnerable workers.

“These regulations are designed to provide additional protections for vulnerable work-seekers who use employment agencies and employment businesses here, while not unduly adding to the regulatory burden on the private recruitment sector.”

As a further deregulatory measure, the regulations will reduce the amount of paperwork that an agency must provide for hiring companies and work-seekers in respect of repeat short-term assignments.

The Department for Employment and Learning will publish guidance on the regulations prior to them coming into operation.

Notes to Editors:

1. The recruitment industry is regulated by the Department for Employment and Learning under the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1981 and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations (NI) 2005.
2. Agencies that seriously breach the legislation can be prosecuted by the department in the Magistrates’ Court. In the most severe cases, the department can apply to an Industrial Tribunal to prohibit an individual from operating an agency for up to ten years.
3. Departmental estimates put the number of NI employment agencies and businesses in excess of 300.
4. In addition to the main amendments, the amending regulations include two minor, technical amendments and a minor clarification to the 2005 regulations.
5. Guidance on the legislation as it currently stands is available on the Department for Employment and Learning’s website.
6. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
7. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.