The government has announced new tougher regulations for temping agencies which will have to obtain a licence to operate under new rules to be introduced next year as government moves to clamp down on foreign worker abuse.
Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul on Wednesday announced that temping agencies will be required to deposit €20,000 in a special fund from which workers will be paid if the agency loses its licence.
Agencies that employ more than 20 workers will have to deposit an additional 2% of the annual wage bill in the fund.
“This fund will be distributed to workers who lose their job if the agency loses its licence to operate because of some infraction,” Ellul said.
The tougher new regulations will come into force from 1st April 2024 but agencies will have until 1st June to get in line with the new regulations. Temping agencies can start applying for a licence on 1st January.
