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Policy Forum established to address the key issues facing recruiters in Wales

On Tuesday 4th November, members of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) came together in Wales for the first meeting of the Welsh Policy Forum. 

The new Forum will represent the specific interests related to the labour market in Wales. It will be a key voice for recruitment companies in Wales to represent the concerns of the industry to the Welsh Assembly Government and to the UK Government. 

 Philippa George, REC Regional Director for Wales said: “This forum will highlight the significant contribution recruiters make to providing people in Wales with access to the labour market."

Inaccurate perceptions of the industry persist but the Forum can play a key role in educating people about the industry. We can add value both to clients looking to cover absences as well as providing work opportunities for job seekers.

Trade Unions in Wales need to recognise the valuable role we play in providing not only short term work but also skills and experience.

The Forum will be a key voice for promoting this message in Wales. One of the key issues discussed at the first meeting was the problem the current economic climate is having on the Welsh labour market particularly in construction and manufacturing although the feedback was that recruitment activity in other sectors was still relatively robust.  

Another key issue will be how the European Agency Workers Directive which will grant temporary workers party in pay and working conditions after 12 weeks will affect recruiters in Wales.  

Philippa continued: “There has so far been a lot of misinformation about the Directive and recruiters in Wales with the help of the REC have an important role to educate businesses in Wales what the European Directive will mean in reality.” 

“We need to ensure that during the current economic downturn when recruiters are finding it more difficult to find people jobs that Government policy supports us rather than making life more difficult.”  

The forum also discussed the need for procurement policy to balance cost control with good quality service provision and the important role recruiters play in vetting candidates to supply a safe and reliable temporary labour force.