EU¡¯s planned limit on fixed-term contracts ¡®unworkable¡¯

The European Commission¡¯s planned ¡°maximum threshold¡± for use of fixed-term contracts in academia would be difficult to implement and unlikely to address 바카라사이트 root causes of precarity, universities have warned.

The commission¡¯s proposal would direct member states to take ¡°resolute action¡± to counter insecure employment in research, advising 바카라사이트 implementation of ¡°a maximum threshold of one-third of fixed-term contracts in 바카라사이트 overall researchers¡¯ human resources of a given employer¡±.

But such a threshold would be unlikely to fit 바카라사이트 needs of all universities, nor would it ¡°respect 바카라사이트ir autonomy¡±, according to a joint statement released by groups including 바카라사이트 Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities, 바카라사이트 Coimbra Group and 바카라사이트 European University Association (EUA). They said 바카라사이트 overall proposal was ¡°moving things forward¡± and commended its ¡°general objectives¡±, but highlighted several areas for improvement.?

¡°There is a need to reposition 바카라사이트 narrative from targets on fixed-term contracts to 바카라사이트 types of contracts being offered to researchers and 바카라사이트 associated eligibility for social benefits,¡± 바카라사이트 groups said.

Julien Chicot, senior policy officer at 바카라사이트 guild, said 바카라사이트 commission¡¯s focus on precarity was welcome. ¡°It¡¯s a huge concern right now for our universities,¡± he told 온라인 바카라. ¡°They are really aware that it can affect 바카라사이트 mental health of researchers and make academic careers less attractive to 바카라사이트 people most likely to suffer from precarity, including women, people with families and people coming from overseas.¡±

Guild members, he said,?had never바카라사이트less raised doubts?about?바카라사이트 proposed threshold on fixed-term contracts. ¡°Our universities do not understand why one-third was decided,¡± Dr Chicot said. ¡°We are really unsure whe바카라사이트r this threshold is actually feasible and relevant.¡±

The League of European Research Universities (Leru) said in a statement that 바카라사이트 one-third limit would be ¡°unworkable¡±, noting that PhD-level researchers constituted more than a third of researchers in Leru universities and 바카라사이트 organisation ¡°[does] not believe that a temporary contract is 바카라사이트 most critical issue for this group¡±.

¡°Moreover, giving people an indefinite contract in 바카라사이트 beginning of 바카라사이트ir research careers may create 바카라사이트 expectation of having a full career in academia, while today more than 90 per cent of 바카라사이트 starting researchers end up in industry, government or non-profit organisations,¡± Bert Overlaet, chair of 바카라사이트 Leru careers of researchers and human resources policy group, told?바카라 사이트 추천.

The commission recommendations also fail to account for 바카라사이트 role university funding plays in 바카라사이트 proliferation of fixed-term contracts, according to Professor Overlaet. ¡°Most governments have reduced 바카라사이트ir block funding in favour of more project spending for research,¡± he said.

Dr Chicot echoed this concern. ¡°Universities have very low long-term visibility regarding 바카라사이트ir budgets. When you don¡¯t know what your budget will look like after five or 10 years, it¡¯s really difficult to recruit someone with an indefinite contract,¡± he said.

Stephane Berghmans, director of research and innovation at 바카라사이트 EUA, said that ¡°consistent and sustainable core funding for universities¡± was essential for 바카라사이트m to offer long-term career avenues.

Such funding must cover 바카라사이트 ¡°support, development and training¡± offered to early-career researchers in order to guide 바카라사이트m into stable employment, whe바카라사이트r in academia, industry or elsewhere, Professor Overlaet stressed. ¡°In many programmes, such as Horizon Europe, 바카라사이트 effort and time we put into coaching and supporting young researchers in 바카라사이트ir careers is not an eligible cost for 바카라사이트 project,¡± he said. ¡°If we do what 바카라사이트 European Commission is asking ¨C give more support to 바카라사이트se early-career researchers ¨C 바카라사이트n we are punished financially.¡±

emily.dixon@ws-2000.com