As the authoritative voice of the private employment agency industry on the international level, Ciett represents the common interests of its members on international public affairs in the area of employment and social policy. The President of the Confederation has summarised this mission of Ciett in a document entitled “What we stand for”.

The overall objectives of Ciett public affairs activities are threefold:

• To monitor any international regulatory development that can have an impact on the private employment agency industry, and to keep on members informed on a timely basis.
• To gain a better recognition for the positive role the industry plays with regards to the functioning of the labour market.
• To engage into pro-active lobbying actions in order to promote the interests of private employment agencies and to shape a better regulatory framework for the industry.

For these purposes, the Ciett Secretariat, supported by many of the members of the Confederation, undertake many activities to implement Ciett’s public affairs policies: sending of a monthly Public Affairs Report to all members, organising meetings with key policy makers (ILO officials, EU institutions, Council of Europe) as well as key stakeholders (e.g. OECD, IOE, BusinessEurope, ITUC), attending conferences and workshops, releasing position papers.

A major focus for Ciett and its members has been for the past years the employment policy related discussions and decisions taken in the context of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The debate on the ILO Convention n°181, which defines common minimum standards for the private employment agency industry and the debate concerning the ILO Recommendation on the Employment Relationship have been central public affairs priorities for Ciett. Ciett has regular observer seats at the ILO Conferences.

Furthermore, Ciett positions the private employment agency industry in ongoing, debates on employment policy matters, like the debate on flexicurity or work migration.