The German temporary staffing industry: growth, development, scandal and resistance

In Germany the size of the temporary agency workforce has almost doubled between 2002 and 2012 prompted by deregulation and expansion of temporary staffing agency networks. This article examines the growth of the temporary staffing industry in Germany revealing important milestones in the regulatory...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Industrial relations journal 2016-03, Vol.47 (2), p.117-143
Main Author: Ferreira, Jennifer
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Business growth
Constraints
Deregulation
Disputes
Employment agencies
Germany
Intervention
Labor market
Labor unions
Labour market
Networks
Regulation
Resistance
Studies
Temporary employment
Trade unions
Work
Workforce planning
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Summary:In Germany the size of the temporary agency workforce has almost doubled between 2002 and 2012 prompted by deregulation and expansion of temporary staffing agency networks. This article examines the growth of the temporary staffing industry in Germany revealing important milestones in the regulatory framework transformation. The article then explores the role of key actors in the development of temporary staffing industry in the Germany labour market, in particular the shifting positions of trade unions in relation to temporary agency work, as well as intervention from the state with re‐regulation in order to mitigate for exploitative affecting temporary agency workers. The findings highlight that while the growth of the German temporary staffing industry has been substantial, and that the state has been an active agent, it has not been without its controversies and challenges, and that features of the industry remain potential barriers for its future development. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
ISSN:0019-8692
1468-2338
DOI:10.1111/irj.12133