Agencies get away with paying less than the minimum wage

Agency staff in the hospitality industry may be working for less than the minimum wage, according to a report published today by the TUC.

The study says that a growing number of employment agencies are charging inflated transport, accommodation, clothing and meal costs to temps on their books. As a result, the TUC believes many workers are pocketing less than the minimum £4.85 per hour.

The report is published a week before the European Council of Ministers is due to debate the European Temporary Agency Workers Directive, which sets out legislation designed to protect employees from unscrupulous agencies.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "The current regulations which are designed to protect agency workers from abuse at the hands of rogue agencies do nothing of the sort."

Under current regulations the maximum benefit in kind that can be deducted is £26.25 per week for accommodation costs only.

by Tom Bill

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