9 Apr 2009
Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy today threw his weight behind action to stamp out illegal practice by employment agencies in Scotland. In Glasgow and the surrounding area, seven employment agencies have already been issued with warnings for failing to comply with the law.
The warnings follow investigations in Glasgow by the Government's Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate in recent weeks. Investigators found that seven agencies in Glasgow were breaking employment regulations. Between these seven agencies, inspectors found 30 infringements of the law. Many of these offences were relatively minor, however the worst practices identified included:
Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy said:
"I have no doubt that the vast majority of employment agencies in Scotland are abiding by the law. But, we must not allow these tough economic times to act as a cover for lax employment standards.
It is more important than ever that agency staff are made fully aware of the employment rights and receive their wages on time. Anything less than full compliance with the law will not be tolerated and I fully support the work of the EASI in stamping out any improper practice in Scotland."
Employment Minister Pat McFadden said:
"The Government has doubled the number of Employment Agency Standards inspectors so that they can get out on the ground in places like Glasgow and target the rule-breakers.
Follow up investigations will take place to make sure that the agencies concerned have changed their ways. Agencies that continue to flout the law could be prosecuted, hit hard with unlimited fines or banned from operating for up to 10 years."
The Employment Agency Standards team acted in Glasgow following reports of improper activity in agencies supplying a diverse range of staff. The Department for Business is also running a campaign to raise awareness of the Employment Agency Standards inspectorate, particularly among vulnerable agency workers.
People can report employment agencies they suspect of breaking the law by contacting the Employment Agency Standards inspectorate on 0845 955 5105 or emailing eas@berr.gsi.gov.uk.
Notes to Editors
1. The Employment Agency Standards inspectorate is part of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. The Inspectorate carries out inspections of agencies on the basis of perceived risk of non-compliance and investigates complaints about agency conduct.
2. The inspectorate visited the Glasgow area in March, visiting 17 agencies in total.
3. Agencies that break the law could face prosecution and, as of 6 April 2009, be subject to unlimited fines for the most serious offences. Rogue agencies could also be banned from operating for up to ten years.
4. For legal reasons, the Department for Business cannot name the agencies warned, unless they are prosecuted or prohibited.
5. Further guidance for agency workers can be found on www.direct.gov.uk/agency workers. Guidance for employment agencies can be found at www.businesslink.gov.uk/employingpeople.