Germany: preparations for a draft law on restrictions over temporary contracts and services provisions contracts (Werkverträge)

On Monday 16 November, Andrea Nahles, Minister for Employment and Social Affairs, in following the coalition government’s program, presented parliament with her third key project that looks to restrict recourse to temporary contracts and services contracts. The draft law looks to limit temporary work in the same company to a period of 18 months including the possibility to negotiate an extension to this period. A series of eight criteria will set out regulations over a favorite employment strategy of German companies, i.e. services contracts. The draft law that still has to go before the Chancellor and the Ministers concerned has been broadly criticized by the Employers’ Federations who believe it will lead to an administrative monster as well as serving as a brake on the digitalization of the economy.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

18 month limit on temporary work. Following measures over the minimum wage and retirement at age 63, the Minister for Employment and Social Affairs, Andrea Nahles presented a draft law on labor market regulations that is expected to come into force on 01 January 2017. The draft law includes two significant changes to temporary work. First, temporary workers cannot be employed for more than 18 months in the same company. An exception to this will be authorized if the company signs a sector colle

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Luxembourg: two pension reform bills submitted to parliament
After lengthy negotiations with the social partners, in mid-October the Luxembourg government submitted two bills to parliament aimed at reforming the pension system to ensure its long-term...
Germany: pensioners in work already common practice, study shows
As the German government steps up measures to encourage people to stay in work beyond the legal retirement age, a new study by the Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) – an independent...
France: social conference on labour and pensions to proceed without main employers’ group
The preparatory meeting ahead of the social conference on labour and pensions, which is set to decide on the pension system model and the funding thereof, was held on 4 November at France's labour...
Spain: already well on the way to pay transparency?
Spain is preparing for the implementation of its national law transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive, which will take effect on 7 June 2026. The legislation marks another step forward in...
5 November 2025
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Italy: decree-law adopted to increase workplace safety
On 28 October, the Italian cabinet adopted a decree-law on health and safety at work, aimed at preventing and reducing accidents. The text addresses both the powers and actions of supervisory...
4 November 2025
2
Spain: already well on the way to pay transparency?
Spain is preparing for the implementation of its national law transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive, which will take effect on 7 June 2026. The legislation marks another step forward in...
5 November 2025
3
Romania: parents of children with disabilities granted up to eight days of remote work per month
On 9 October, the Romanian parliament adopted a bill aiming to bolster support for parents of children with disabilities up to the age of 18. The legislation, which came into force on 12 October...
4
mind RH analysis – Initial findings from CSRD social indicators
In 2025, for the first time, the universal registration documents of major European companies contain the sustainability reporting required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive...
5
Italy: European pay transparency directive, a major step forward for businesses
Italy’s labour market continues to suffer from limited pay transparency and a persistent gender pay gap. The forthcoming implementation of the EU pay transparency directive — still awaiting...
6
Netherlands: ING cites AI as it plans to cut around 950 jobs
Dutch bank ING has informed the employment agency UWV that it may cut around 950 jobs by 31 December 2026. In its notification on 20 October, the lender said the planned reductions stem partly...
30 October 2025