From the agency work perspective, the overall regulatory outlook for the period for the next six months is negative in 13 surveyed countries. In 7 countries, the impact of changes in regulation is expected to be neutral overall, while in 4 countries, the overall outlook is positive.
In 4 of the 24 surveyed countries, the staffing industry anticipates regulatory changes, which will have an overall strong and positive impact on the sector:
- In the Netherlands, a reform of the complementary pension scheme for agency workers based on a collective labour agreement is about to enter into force, which is assessed positively.
- In Spain, social dialogue is driving new opportunities such as stronger involvement of the sector in labour market policies.
- In the UK, the positive outlook is based on the fact that the new British Prime minister is taking a more cautious and slower approach after Brexit in revoking UK laws that were based on EU Directives.
- In Italy, the newly elected government has put forward a promising programme, which might lead to making positive changes to the most recent reform (Dignity Decree).
Negative impact of the regulatory change is expected in 13 surveyed countries:
- Following the Mexican labour reform implemented in September 2021, agency work is no longer allowed in Mexico. As a consequence, the volume of business decreased 80% compared to the situation prior to the reform. Agency work can nevertheless continue operating in the so called “specialized services”, which are outside the core activity of the user company.
- In Europe, the expected negative regulatory changes include:
- A new regulation on maximum length of assignment in Sweden
- A new regulation on statutory sick pay and pensions in Ireland
- Discussions and possible regulation on the overall protection of agency workers covered by collective labour agreements in Germany, linked to the EU Court of Justice proceeding
- Discussions on the use of agency work in the healthcare sector in both Denmark and France, and
- A new law entering into force in Norway on maximum length of assignment and a regional ban in the construction sector.
WEC members can access a more detailed analysis of the SERO results on the Members’ Area.