Call for limit on temporary work

The FNV, the largest union organisation in the Netherlands, has called for a six-month limit on the use of temporary employment contracts. The current limit is 18 months.

It wants permanent employment contracts again to become the norm, with temporary workers, including agency workers, only used to cover short-term peaks or during periods of staff absence.

The union believes its case has been strengthened by the coronavirus crisis, during which 30% of temporary workers have lost their jobs, as have 80% of those who have no fixed hours but are only called in as required.