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The ECA is to look at new proposals which aim to curb the widespread use of agency labour. It is concerned that increasing reliance on agency staff is leading to less training of operatives and distortion of the level playing field of JIB rules.

If agency labour continues to be used as extensively as it seems to be at present, the Association may be forced to take action to ensure that adequate numbers of apprentices are being trained to match workloads.

The ECA is looking at proposals that could see agencies taking a direct role in the training of apprentices. Under the plans being formulated, members using agencies could be asked to employ a percentage of their labour requirement as apprentices through the agency. A figure of 10% has been suggested.

A second proposal would see members asked to pay a sum to help support training. This "industry credit" has been described as similar to the welfare benefit for direct employees.

"Both the proposals would increase the cost of agency labour to a small extent," says Alex Meikle, head of employee relations at the ECA. "However, they could provide part of the answer to the need to recruit and train apprentices, and also level the playing field in respect of those members who use direct employees."

The ECA has also warned member companies not to contravene JIB rules when subcontracting work. Rule 17 of the JIB agreement dictates that members only subcontract to other JIB firms, however there have been several recent cases of use of non-JIB companies.

Trade union Amicus is said to be extremely unhappy about the use of non-JIB firms, where JIB terms, conditions and benefits are not provided to employees. The union sees this as erosion of its members' terms and conditions.

"There is increasing evidence that the use of inappropriate subcontractors increases the risk of poor industrial relations, reduces standards of health and safety and results in low levels of productivity and efficiency," warns Meikle.