Temporary work - political discussions and social perception

It may be hard to believe, but temporary work is being discussed in political debates and in society. This makes it a controversial topic. Many have recognised that temporary work is a necessary instrument for making the labour market more flexible. On the other hand, many view it as a driver of insecurity, raising concerns about worsening working conditions. Public opinion on temporary work is deeply divided. This divide is also mirrored in various political decisions, which highlight the clash of perspectives and priorities.

How has temporary work developed and what is the legal framework?

Temporary work has existed on the German market for a very long time. It is also often referred to as temporary work. This is a form of employment in which an employee is employed by a personnel service provider. They are lost to a third-party company for a limited period of time. Over the years, this form of employment has undergone various changes. In the early days of temporary work, there were many legal uncertainties. 

Over the years, numerous legal adjustments have been implemented in the context of labor market reforms. The aim was to strengthen the rights of employees. In Germany, the Temporary Employment Act (AÜG) - provides the legal basis for temporary work and sets out, among other things, the maximum permitted duration of temporary employment and regulations on remuneration.

What are the political arguments in favour of temporary work?

Those in favour argue that temporary work helps to bridge short-term bottlenecks. This can ensure the economic stability of companies. There are industries with highly fluctuating order situations. They are often subject to seasonal fluctuations such as Easter or Christmas. In these sectors, temporary staffing is indispensable.

Also for jobseekers, temporary work can be an advantage. It can serve as a bridge to the regular labour market. Temporary work can make it easier to join a company. Jobseekers with low qualifications or those who have been unemployed for longer periods of time also benefit from temporary work. It helps you gain work experience and regain a foothold in the labour market.

Temporary work is also an important tool for companies. In times of economic uncertainty, temporary work can be used to quickly adapt to changing market conditions. Companies do not have to commit to making long-term personnel decisions. Overall, it means that fewer jobs are lost and the employment rate remains high.

What do critical voices from the world of politics say?

Critical voices point to negative aspects of temporary work. Trade unions and socially oriented political parties often describe temporary work as contributing to the growing insecurity of the labour market. The working conditions are often worse for the employees. They often have lower wages than the permanent workforce and also worse working conditions. It is also criticised that employees are unsure about their employment situation. They do not know how long the assignment in the current company will last. Points such as social security and the impact on pension entitlements are also issues that critics criticise about temporary work.

There are also concerns that temporary work could, in some cases, replace regular employment. Some companies may view it as an opportunity to substitute a significant portion of their workforce with temporary staff. This practice is often seen as a way to bypass collective agreements and reduce personnel costs. Critics argue that it can lead to a general decline in working conditions and put downward pressure on wages across many sectors.

What is the social perception of temporary work?

Public opinion on temporary work is divided. There are many who see flexibility and opportunities in temporary work. Others tend to think of it as an unsure employment relationship and poorly paid work. There are also many employees who share their experiences. They often speak of a feeling of interchangeability and do not feel sufficiently valued. Critics say that temporary workers often do not enjoy the same social and financial benefits as permanent employees in the company.

However, there are many sectors in which temporary work has become firmly established. Logistics, manufacturing and care services are just such sectors. Companies in these sectors often cover their order peaks with temporary work. Staff shortages are also filled in the care sector in particular. Still, in sectors like academia and the creative arts, temporary work is met with skepticism. It’s often seen as an obstacle to stable, long-term career development.

What are the consequences for the employees concerned?

What are the future prospects and reform approaches?

As there are many political debates surrounding temporary work, there are also different approaches as to how it should be organised in the future. There are some voices calling for greater regulation. They want to prevent wage dumping and improve the rights of temporary workers. In particular the equal pay model ensures that temporary workers receive the same pay for the same work as permanent employees in a company. There is also a debate about the maximum length of time an employee may be assigned to a company.

However, some argue that temporary work should be made even more flexible to give companies greater leeway in workforce planning. They claim that limiting flexibility could harm business competitiveness. At the same time, there are concerns that this could prompt companies to adopt alternative employment models that offer workers even less protection.

There is also growing interest in reforming the role of collective labour agreements within the temporary work sector. While some industries have already implemented such agreements to ensure fair working conditions for temporary workers, many areas still leave them at a disadvantage compared to permanent staff. The goal is to improve the balance between flexibility and social security by expanding collective bargaining coverage.

What significance does temporary work have for the labour market?

There are many controversial discussions surrounding temporary work. What cannot be denied, however, is that it is an important part of the labour market. Above all, companies benefit from the fact that they can react quickly to changes. Employees benefit from the opportunities that temporary work offers them and the experience they can gain. Of course, there is still the challenge of preventing abuse and creating fair conditions for employees.

The discussion surrounding temporary work is never-ending. There are various factors such as new technologies, demographic change and changing working models that will lead to further changes in the role of temporary work.