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Labour broker definition

A labour broker (or Temporary Employment Service) is a person or company that provides labourers to client companies on a temporary basis. The workers work at the client company site, but are the employees of the labour broker, not the client.

This means that the labour broker is responsible for all the admin related to the employee, such as payroll, taxes, leave administration etc. For the employer it means greater flexibility, as extra labour can be brought in quickly when necessary, and removed from site when there is less work to do. This can greatly reduce costs and increase efficiency. It also means that any workers who are sick or away from work for any other reason can be quickly replaced so ensure there is always a full complement of staff.

The labour broker usually would do background checks, criminal record checks etc on their pool of labour, and makes sure that their workers are well trained. So instead of bringing in labourers off the street, by using a labour broker you can ensure you are getting hard working, reliable workers.

There is a misconception that labourers who work through labour brokers become the employee of the client company after three months. This is only true in terms of unfair dismissals. A worker employed through a labour broker for the same client company for more than 3 months has the same rights regarding unfair dismissal, and also should not be treated differently to permanent workers. If the worker feels they have been unfairly dismissed, than both the labour broker and the client company can be taken to CCMA and held jointly and severally liable.  However in all other respects, the labourer is still the employee of the labour broker, and the broker will deal with all admin, leave, payroll, etc. It is possible to hire temporary employees through a labour broker for periods longer than 3 months, as long as the duration of the contract can justifiably seen as being for a limited and definite period, or there is another justifiable reason for a fixed term contract. See our post on the new temporary employment laws for more details on this.

Looking for temporary unskilled work?

Are you unskilled or semi-skilled and looking for part time work through a labour broker? Western Star Outsourcing is a major temporary employment provider all over South Africa. If you would like to send us your CV please send it to the relevant branch by fax or email. See here for our branch contact details.

Looking to hire contingent labour?

Western Star can provide all kinds of blue collar labour on a temporary or permanent basis. We also offer white collar recruitment and offshore recruitment services through our other divisions. Contact us for more details.

If you want to work outside of the country that you live in, you will need some help from those working in international jobs and recruitment. They fully understand what it takes to get you into a position in another country. This is important because different countries have different rules and regulations surrounding employment and having someone to help you to navigate this will alleviate many hassles. International jobs and recruitment specialists can connect you to employers and help you to transition into your new job as smoothly as possible.

Common Services with this Type of Recruitment

When you are working with international jobs and recruitment professionals, there are several different services at your disposal. The best service for you will ultimately depend on the type of work you are looking for. The following services are common with this type of agency:

• Temporary staffing: If you are seeking international employment, but you do not want to immediately commit to a single company, you can consider temporary staffing positions. The lengths and required hours will vary significantly, but you can provide information about the hours that are best for you to accommodate your schedule and lifestyle. This is the most flexible type of employment that international jobs and recruitment specialists can help with.
• Permanent positions: If you are looking for steady work that you can count on, you will want to look into permanent jobs. These agencies will take your skills and your background and match you with the different job opportunities that are available. It is important to note that different countries have different requirements for different fields. For example, a nurse working in the United States may not qualify for a job as a nurse in South Africa, and vice versa.

Networking Opportunities for Those Seeking Employment

When you visit an international jobs and recruitment specialist, you will be presented with a variety of networking opportunities that you can take advantage of. These are all designed to help you find employment in the right country and in the right field. It gives you the chance to connect with potential employers and to look at the different jobs that are currently available. Common networking services include:

• The chance to share your resume with partner employers
• Getting frequent job alerts via email that match your skillset
• Getting job alerts from the recruiters’ partner offices so that you have access to more opportunities

Working in another country provides you with a wealth of new and exciting opportunities. However, if you have looked into doing this on your own, you know that it is no easy feat. There are so many things that you have to accomplish that the task can be quite daunting. When you get help from an international jobs and recruitment provider, you can rest assured that everything will be done right the first time. This will save you a lot of time and help you to start working much sooner.