A draft of new amendments to the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations was put before Parliament on March 11, 2010, prior to the General Election.

One of the main effects of these amendments - which will come into force from October 1, 2010 - will be to make it illegal for agencies to charge prospective models fees upfront for putting them on their books.

Other significant changes that the amendments will introduce include:

• The introduction of a 30-day cooling-off period, during which an employment business or agency cannot charge a fee for creating a photograph or audio or video recording of a prospective candidate. The candidate will also have the right to cancel or withdraw from the contract throughout this time.
• Ensuring that every agency gets a prospective candidate’s agreement to basic terms relating to the relationship between them.
• Changes to the suitability checks that agencies perform on candidates.
• A new stipulation that job advertisements must state whether a vacancy is permanent or temporary rather than whether the services offered are those of an employment business or employment agency.

These new amendments should help to introduce an increased level of transparency and fairness into employment agencies and businesses.

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