Indefinite contracts reform extended to public entities

A labour reform announced last week which will see hundreds of civil service workers on definite three-year contracts moved to an indefinite contract, has been extended to employees of public entities.

The sweeping reform aims to address a discrimination created in the past between civil servants, and those employed from outside the public service, according to principal permanent secretary Mario Cutajar.

“The removal of this discrimination will mean all workers who are on statutory probation inside the public service are now equal with each other,” Cutajar said last week. "The previous situation constituted discrimination against public service employees, who effectively faced a three-year probation period compared to the maximum of one year in the private service."

The extension, announced today, will affect positions within public entities listed by Jobsplus or under public notice, as well as internal calls that do not fall under the cap of senior management.

The public service circular stipulates that public entities must take the necessary measure to conform with the new directive within 10 days.
The new rules standardise probation periods across all sectors and will now help the public service remain competitive by retaining its best employees indefinitely, Cutajar said.