Temporary agency work: A curse or a blessing for the German labour market?

Abstract

Against the background of the strong growth in temporary agency work in Germany over the last decade, the author comments on its function in the modern economy. For instance, the use of temporary agency workers allows the establishment taking advantage of their labour to react highly flexibly to fluctuations in demand. Time-consuming and expensive recruitment processes are rendered unnecessary. Temporary agency workers may make the transition into a permanent job by way of temporary agency work. In the following section, the author also takes a look at the downside of temporary agency work. This includes unfavourable working conditions, the low remuneration of temporary agency workers and often only short-term periods of work at the establishment using their labour. The author sees leeway for the improvement of institutional framework conditions in the dimensions remuneration, continuation of the working relationship, and the qualification of temporary agency workers. (IAB)

Cite article

Möller, J. (2012): Zeitarbeit: Fluch oder Segen für den deutschen Arbeitsmarkt? In: R. B. Bouncken, M. Bornewasser & L. Bellmann (Hrsg.) (2012): Die neue Rolle der Zeitarbeit in Deutschland (Beiträge zur Flexibilisierung, 03), p. 235-240.