We have a number of agency workers who are on the PAYE system and have been for well over 12mths now. As of last Wednesday the 25th March, they were told to return home to allow for H&S measures to be implmented on-site due to Covid-19. On Friday 27th March, they were advised that they could return to work on Wednesday 1st April, yet on Tuesday 31st March an update was received to advise the closure would be extended and to wait for a further update.

Due to the shft patterns (they don't work Friday's), two days salary were lost last week and a further 4 days this week will be lost. Workers have been advised to book holidays for the lost days or to take unpaid leave. Due to most people not having holidays to take, they have opted for the latter.

The question being, do they qualify for the furlough payment and if so, who should be actioning this, the agency with whom they hold the contract of employment or the employer for whom they work?

If they do not qualify for Furlough, what options exist to compensate for loss of earnings?

Thank you.