Government insists on extending contract duration and adjusts minimum service requirements

Thursday, 26 March 2026RSS
Government insists on extending contract duration and adjusts minimum service requirements

The Government has submitted a new document to the UGT and business confederations regarding labour law amendments, specifically pushing for longer contract terms and modifying the sectors subject to minimum services during strikes. The proposal includes extending fixed-term contracts from two to three years and uncertain-term contracts from four to five years. It also introduces a provision for fixed-term contracts in cases of formally declared calamities and maintains the possibility of non-reinstatement for unlawful dismissals, subject to compensation. Regarding the individual 'time bank' system, now termed 'time bank by agreement', the government proposes allowing it in the absence of collective bargaining. Furthermore, the document refines the list of sectors requiring minimum services during strikes, removing food supply and private security, while clarifying that childcare services refer specifically to institutionalised children. The Ministry of Labour stated it would not comment on the document, describing it as a status report on ongoing negotiations rather than a final government proposal.

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