No change after decade of contract reform, study finds

Temporary contracts more abundant now than before changes meant to curtail the practice

Germany’s 2006 reform of temporary contracts for scientists and scholars has failed to significantly improve working conditions for early-career academics, a study has found.

According to an evaluation commissioned by the GEW, the country’s Education and Science Union, the proportion of fixed-term contracts at the higher levels remains unchanged despite their duration being extended. The union described the law as “cosmetic”, arguing that no real change had taken place.