Temporary work here and elsewhere

Abstract

Temporary work is booming in Germany, despite the application of strict rules. From some political spheres, even stricter rules to protect employees are being demanded. This paper examines the growth rates and regulation of the sector by international comparison, providing an overview of the numerous different features and activities of temporary work. The author concludes that the socio-economic characteristics and the activities of the temporary workers have hardly changed over the last two decades, despite step-by-step deregulation and enormous growth. The German sector for temporary work is comparatively small and corresponds to the European average by international comparison. In contrast to other countries, the boom in the service sector did not affect German companies which provide temporary employees. On the other hand: in no other country are so many temporary agency workers found in production jobs. The share of women workers in the temporary sector is correspondingly low. According to the author it is uncertain whether stricter regulation would benefit employees, as this would result in an increase in the cost of this type of employment. 'Only one thing is clear: A new reform would mainly lead to a rise in employment on the part of lawyers who would need to decide on the principle of equal treatment, in particular the following question: Can the temporary agency worker who raised the complaint be compared in all ways to members of the regular workforce of the business to which he/she has been hired out?' (IAB)

Cite article

Jahn, E. (2008): Zeitarbeit hier und anderswo. Viele Regeln lenken den Strom. In: IAB-Forum No. 1, p. 20-25.