REC Response to Labour Party Criticism of Recruitment Agencies

Thursday 1st May 2014 

Responding to a pledge in the Labour party’s ‘Cost-of-Living Contract”, published today, to “ban recruitment agencies that only hire foreign workers” the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s (REC) chief executive Kevin Green says:

“The practice of hiring exclusively from abroad, favouring foreign workers or refusing to hire or advertise to British workers is discriminatory and already illegal. 

“We are frustrated with these criticisms of recruiters, especially as the Labour party doesn’t provide evidence to support any allegations that these illegal practices are occurring. 

“We want politicians of all parties to recognise the dedication of the more than 93,000 recruiters in the UK who work hard every day to help business get the talent they need and people the jobs they want. We will continue to talk to the Labour Party and are keen to work in partnership to promote growth and create jobs.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. Point 9 on Labour’s Cost-of-Living Contract reads: Tackle the abuse of migrant labour to undercut wages by banning recruitment agencies that only hire foreign workers and pressing for stronger controls in Europe”. Online here.