Temporary agency work

Temporary agency work is organised through a triangular relationship between the temporary agency worker, the temporary agency and the user undertaking. Temporary agency workers are often in a precarious position, since the duration of their employment is on average less than three months, and the quality of their jobs and wages often lower while the work intensity is higher than among the core workforce.

In 2008, the Directive on Temporary Agency Work at EU level was adopted, with the aim of protecting temporary agency workers, improving the quality of temporary agency work by ensuring equal treatment, and fostering job creation.

The ETUC believes that it is essential for temporary agency workers to be treated equally from their first day of work, just as if they had been employed directly by the user undertaking.

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  • 01.09.2022 Page

    Union wins pay rises for temporary workers in Germany

    The German trade union confederation DGB and its collective bargaining partners have agreed new pay rates for temporary workers. The changes mean wage increases between 16 and 24.1% for the three lowest wage groups. Adjustments become necessary after the Bundestag agreed to increase the statutory minimum wage to €12, from 1 October this year. The agreement also includes an additional bonus for trade union members:  an extra €150 in holiday and Christmas bonuses from November 2023 for workers who have belonged to a trade union for at least six months.
  • 17.02.2020 Page

    Protection for temporary agency workers in Germany

    The proportion of temporary agency workers has been increasing in the EU, although these contracts tend to mean less security, fewer benefits and lower job satisfaction. But in Germany, trade unions negotiate collectively on behalf of some 98% of agency workers. Eight DGB member unions have reached a collective agreement for around 750,000 temporary agency workers, in force from January 2020.
  • 10.11.2017 Page

    Fairer pay and security for Dutch temporary workers

    Thanks to a deal concluded by the FNV trade union in the Netherlands, temporary workers have the right to fairer pay and better protection. The revised rules come under the ABU-CAO (employment agencies) collective agreement, with new guidelines on wages and security for temporary workers. Agencies must now provide full and accurate information on wages, surcharges and expenses. Temporary workers can claim back-pay if the salary is not correct, or inaccurate information is provided. Holiday entitlement also goes up from 24 to 25 days.
  • 01.12.2016 Page

    Belgian agency workers get their own website

    Belgian trade union confederation FGTB/ABVV has opened a website to help agency workers know their rights. In October 2016, agency workers in Belgium gained the right to receive a labour contract before starting work. The contract can be signed in the traditional way – on paper – or via a computer or smartphone, using an identity card or password. An individual mailbox enables each worker to check and sign their contracts
  • 21.11.2014 Press release

    ECJ opinion threatens agreed limits on temporary agency work

    The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is alarmed that an opinion from the European Court of Justice on 20 November threatens to undermine national rules, often agreed with trade unions, restricting use of temporary agency workers. Advocate General Maciej Szpunar’s opinion on the first case concerning the Temporary Agency Work (TAW) Directive to come before the ECJ, suggests that Member States must lift restrictions and prohibitions on temporary agency work unless they are proved to be ‘in the general interest’.
  • 05.09.2014 Press release

    European Court to hear employers' bid to replace full-time jobs with temporary agency contracts

    On Tuesday 9 September, the European Court of Justice (CJEU) will hear a case that could result in companies forcing workers into temporary employment instead of open-ended jobs. In an oral hearing in ‘Grand Chamber’, the CJEU will consider the first case ever brought (Case C-533/13)* on the Temporary Agency Work Directive (TAWD) since its adoption in 2008.
  • 22.10.2008 Press release

    Adoption of Temporary Agency Work Directive breaks deadlock on social Europe

    Brussels, 22 October 2008 ETUC was particularly satisfied with the way the Council solved the issue of equal treatment between agency workers and workers in the user enterprise – the most contentious issue in the Directive which blocked progress for the past 6 years. The Directive will not anymore introduce a general qualifying period before the equal treatment principle would apply as was proposed previously, but instead only allows for derogation by collective agreement or – under specific conditions – by agreement between the national social partners.
  • 03.12.2007 Press release

    Trade unions deliver an urgent message to European employment ministers

    Brussels, 03/12/2007 “By approving the proposed Temporary Agency Workers Directive, you can extend much needed protection to several million vulnerable workers. You can revive the idea of an effective Social Europe. You can give reassuring substance to flexicurity.
  • 26.11.2007 Press release

    John Monks calls on Labour MPs for a change of policy on temporary agency workers

    Brussels, 26/11/2007 The UK has spearheaded opposition in Europe to the draft Temporary Agency Workers' Directive, which would bring agency workers' rights and conditions into line with permanent employees. John Monks is urging Labour MPs to lobby British ministers to change their position in advance of an EU Employment Council meeting on 5 December.
  • 26.11.2007 Speech

    Trade Union Group of Labour MPs

    London, 26/11/2007 To be checked against delivery Chairman, it is nice to be back. When I was at the TUC, I always appreciated the support we received from this group – support which had to be expressed discreetly and carefully even then, if the enemies of the Labour Government were not to be able capitalise on internal differences in the Party.
  • 08.11.2004 Document

    Declaration on Temporary Agency Work Directive

    Adopted at the ETUC 10th Statutory Congress, 26-29/05/2003 Delegates at the 10th ETUC Congress, meeting in Prague from May 26-29, expresses their strong discontentment and incomprehension at the risk of a stalemate in the adoption of the proposed directive on temporary agency work, and at the risk of its major distortion by a certain number of Member States : The United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark and Germany.