The Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act, 2012 came into effect on 16th May 2012 (with the exception of pay) as a result of the Agency Worker’s Directive at EU level from 2008.
The pay provisions of the Act are being made retrospective. This means that agency workers, who are on assignment on 5th December 2011 are entitled to equal treatment in relation to pay from 5th December 2011. For agency workers who commenced assignment after this date, the pay provisions take effect from the date of their assignment.
The Act itself applies the principle of equal treatment in terms of basic working and employment conditions for Agency Workers in the same way as applies to employees recruited directly by the Hirer to do the same or a similar job.