In a response to a parliamentary question submitted by Marc Spautz, Kersch aligned the government's position with the Chamber of Deputies: "Much like MPs, the government is of the opening that that permanent contracts (CDIs) should remain the norm, and fixed-term contracts the exception. This is why legislative previsions stipulate that fixed-term contracts can only be drawn in limited cases."
The CSV MP had queried the minister on the number of permanent contracts that had been drawn up over the past two years. Figures supplied by the minister reveal that of the 256,230 contracts drawn up between January 2017 and January 2019, 71,880 were fixed-term contracts.
Between 2015 and 2018, the majority of fixed-term contracts concerned periods of between two and six months. 52% of fixed-term contracts in 2018 were for a period of at most six months. All the while, the proportion of fixed-term contracts lasting twelve months or more is constantly dropping. In 2015, these represented 15% of fixed-term contracts, but by 2018 they represented only 5%.
The parliamentary question also included an inquiry on whether firms that systematically hire via fixed-term contracts are subject to check-ups. Here, the minister revealed that the Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM) will investigate with necessary checks when there is a suspicion that a firm is not conforming to the Labour Code.
The figures reveal that, between 2009 and 2019, the percentage of CDDs compared to CDIs rose from 3.7% to 5.6%. Spautz also questioned what the government planned to do to ensure that the number of fixed-term contracts be reduced.
Kersch explained that having a permanent contract is a fundamental condition allowing people to assert themselves in society. Consequently, the government would never take any measures to make fixed-term contracts the norm. As a result, he reiterated how fixed-term contracts are legislated. These should only be offered in exceptional situations, including allowing individuals their first experience of the labour market and to allow firms to respond to needs in emergency situations.
The Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM)'s personnel is due to be increased, which will in turn increase the number of checks as well as how in-depth they are. This should allow businesses who respect the rules to not be harmed compared to those who systematically resort to CDDs.
The law of July 2017 against long-term unemployment should also motivate the public and parapublic sectors to hire long-term unemployed people on permanent contracts.
