Agency work social partners adopt new recommendations for sustaining economic and social recovery

“The Covid-19 pandemic is accelerating and reinforcing long-term trends in the European labour markets”, explains Sonja van Lieshout, Chair of the Employers Delegation of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue on temporary agency work. “Working towards more dynamic, inclusive and resilient labour markets through labour market transitions and enabling the (re-) allocation role that our industry can play  is therefore of utmost importance.” 

Addressing the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been an important element of the EU Sectoral Social Dialogue on temporary agency work in the past years, starting in April 2020 with a first set of joint recommendations focused on “Protecting workers in the COVID-19 pandemic, safeguarding work and preparing for an inclusive economic and social recovery”. The matter remains central in the joint Work Programme for the period 2021-2023 adopted by the sector’s social partners in May 2021.

The new Joint Recommendations of February 2022 focus on moving towards more dynamic, inclusive and resilient labour markets in Europe and address the following main elements:

• Moving towards more dynamic labour markets and appropriately regulated work mobility in Europe by creating an enabling environment for labour market transitions, using the reallocation role of temporary work agencies, and ensuring social protection and adequate social rights for all through social purpose and social innovation.
• Building more inclusive labour markets by managing and mitigating labour market risks and by ensuring access to training and skills policies that put people at the centre, at European, national and local level.
• Fostering more resilient labour markets by recognising and promoting the role of the sectoral social dialogue and encouraging dialogue and exchange on the application and enforcement of existing European and national law.

The joint recommendations adopted by the sectoral social partners have been discussed and negotiated at European level, but they are equally important to foster and guide labour market reforms at national level in the EU Member States.