Labour Court recommends limits on fixed-term posts at Forfas, Forbairt and I.D.A.

The Labour Court recommended that Forfas, Forbairt, I.D.A. and the Services Industrial Professional Technical Union agree a maximum number of permanent posts that could be filled on fixed-term contracts. It also recommended that recruits on contracts longer than two years be eligible to apply for promotion. The recommendation, dated 21 October 1996, addressed the union’s objections to filling permanent posts with five-year contract workers and allowing contract staff to compete for promotion. The agencies argued that fixed-term staff brought current commercial experience and should have the same opportunity to compete as permanent employees. The Court said the union’s concern about contract staff in permanent positions was understandable, while the agencies’ need to recruit particular skills for short periods made business sense. It also noted the employer’s statement that fixed-term recruits would have the same conditions as permanent staff.