An Issues paper prepared by the Office served as a basis for the Workshop's deliberations. The paper provides a background to earlier labour standards on employment agencies, examines the main provisions of the Convention, looks at trends in the private employment agency market and temporary agency work, provides a preliminary assessment of the impact of the economic crisis on the industry, draws together international-level policy statements highlighting issues relating to employment agencies and temporary work, notably the June 2009 Global Jobs Pact, discusses social dialogue in the temporary agency work sector, and looks at how the Convention may, among other things, improve labour market efficiency and encourage job creation while protecting workers from unfair practices.