Challenges Darling?

Posted on 28 May 2008

Comments

Well, another month has gone by and it still seems to be steady as you go. All of the news around jobs; economy and money flow is still a very mixed bag. Our own Contractor Daily reported, “Job-seekers looking for permanent employment are most likely to be hit as employers turn to temporary and freelance workers to fill vacancies.” That could be great news for Contractors and could prevent rates from reducing too.

I also had the “pleasure” of listening to the Chancellor at a CBI dinner last week. There is no doubt that politicians know about the challenges we are facing, but they do not seem to have the ability to make the break through. (Just to be clear, I do not think there is anything to choose from any of the main parties.) The CBI has it seems begrudgingly accepted that a deal between the TUC, the government and “business” had to be done around the Temporary Workers Directive. If not, the EU it seems would have imposed more draconian measures! As it stands and with no real details as yet, “temporary workers” will have some rights akin to employment after 12 weeks. I am very much on the side of protecting vulnerable workers but some Contracting groups will find these new measures anti competitive and not be asking for these rights. Our own Umbrella employment model already delivers a number of employment rights and benefits so we will be looking at the detail when it finally arrives. Yet more red tape for UK business, Contractors and Agencies can’t be helpful to ensure we overcome any slow down.

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