A BANGOR recruitment business has responded angrily to Friday’s vote in parliament which increased the rights of agency and temporary workers, claiming that agency workers in the Bangor area are well looked after.

North Wales firm Supertemps, which helps jobseekers in the Bangor area, denies the accusation that agency workers are poorly treated, and believes that more laws are unnecessary.

Instead they believe that the industry would benefit from better policing of rogue recruiters, rather than new laws giving agency workers the same rights as their non-agency equivalents.

Numerous unions have claimed that agency workers are exploited, and a backbench bill to increase workers’ rights received a vote of approval in parliament last Friday as it seeks to become law.

Supertemps director Sarah Ellwood said: “Unscrupulous agencies breaking existing laws aren’t going to change their ways because of new laws.

“Agencies that abide by current employment law and perform the proper checks of employers and employees before placements ensure both sides benefit from an excellent working relationship. “In the past year client requests to fill vacancies in the Bangor area have increased by 60 per cent. The feedback we regularly ask for is always positive, from both the employer and employee.

“Agencies provide an essential service for businesses that need flexible staff, whether it’s because they’re extra busy, want to “test the water” as they expand, or need someone as cover for longer-term absentees.

“Employers and employees should not dismiss this flexible way of working on the back of negative press.”

Labourer Tim Owen, from Y Felinheli, joined Supertemps’ books last year and soon found work with Hanson Premix.

He said: “Working through an agency is really no different to working for an employer direct. “I’ve learned new skills and my employers have been great with me, and treated me the same as anyone else working for the company.”

Bangor Mail 27th February, 2008

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