- Nick Elvin
The Government has begun a consultation into its plans to ban employment firms from advertising UK-based jobs exclusively in other European Economic Area countries.
The Department for Business Innovation & Skills says current recruitment sector legislation does not regulate where job vacancies are advertised. It is therefore seeking views on a proposal to amend the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 to include measures that would prohibit employment agencies and employment businesses from advertising vacancies in another EEA country without also advertising in the UK.
The regulation would mean that if a job is advertised in another EEA country, it must also be simultaneously advertised in the UK in English. This would only apply to vacancies advertised in EEA countries, as restrictions exist already for advertising in non-EEA countries. Furthermore, the new regulation would apply solely to vacancies advertised by employment agencies and employment businesses, rather than ordinary employers.
Keith Faulkner, chair of tempo, the alliance of temporary recruitment agencies, hirers and industry experts, welcomed the consultation. He said: “We agree it is right that any UK opportunities for temporary work are open to workers based in this country.
“However it is important that the ability of businesses in the UK to grow as the economy recovers is not constrained by an inability to access the skilled or unskilled workers they need.”
The consultation runs until September 2.