German-based employers’ associations the Federal Employers' Association of Personnel Service Providers (BAP), and the Interest Group of German Temporary Employment Agencies (iGZ) announced they will merge to form the General Association of Personnel Service Providers" (GVP).

The GVP is one of the largest employers' associations in Germany, which represents around 6,000 member companies and, together with the DGB (German Trade Union Confederation) trade unions, will organise the working and social conditions for approximately 800,000 temporary workers.

From now on, the new employers' and trade association represents the entire personnel services sector in Germany, from temporary work and personnel placement to personnel consulting and personnel development.

Christian Baumann, iGZ national chairman, said, “By merging BAP and iGZ, the GVP creates a joint association with a strong voice, which is extremely important for the industry.

Baumann will lead the new association as GVP President, alongside his deputy Sebastian Lazay, who is currently at the head of the BAP. "Thanks to the merger, we can bundle our strengths and give new innovative impulses for the future work of the personnel service providers under the common roof.”

Preparations for the merge began in spring 2022, when the general assemblies of BAP and iGZ voted with a clear majority to enter into talks about a possible merger between the two industry associations.

“In the next few months, the two associations will be integrated into the GVP in order to fill the new association with life,” the associations said in a statement.