The political leader blamed the government for a change in unemployment figures that seems to omit certain workers who are not fully active. In an interview, the leader asserted that a portion of people previously listed as unemployed have been reclassified with a new label, and he claimed the number affected is around seven hundred thousand. While labor and social security ministries update May’s data, the headline remains that the total unemployed figure dipped below three million for the first time since 2008. The question remains: does the recent rise in intermittently fixed contracts skew the statistics?
What is an intermittent fixed contract?
The concept of an intermittent fixed contract is not new and has a long place in labor law. A recent reform, negotiated by the government, business groups, and unions, aims to curb temporary hiring and steer some of that work toward the category of intermittent fixed employees. Official data suggest that hundreds of thousands have been hired under this model in the current period, while the number was much smaller in 2019.
An intermittent fixed employee is hired to work only during peaks in activity. The employment relationship is permanent in name, yet the actual workload fluctuates. This helps explain why the number of such contracts has risen in recent months while the traditional permanent contracts fluctuate.
In historic examples, hotel staff or seasonal workers illustrate a pattern: a year-round base team handles steady operations, and during busy seasons an additional group is brought in. They know the business, but normal activity does not require them all year. The terms of engagement and the minimum hours are negotiated with each employer.
Is an intermittent fixed worker considered unemployed when not working?
Unemployment classification depends on two conditions. The person must be unable to find a job and must be recorded as a job seeker with the public employment service. Some workers, even if not currently employed, hold another job or remain registered for a potential return, which affects how they are counted.
An intermittent fixed employee stays formally attached to the company as long as the contract exists. They are not deemed unemployed unless the firm decides they will no longer be needed and terminates the contract with compensation.
While they are active, intermittent fixed workers contribute to social security like other employees. They can have short or no downtime if they are called for the next campaign, sometimes working in another role during the same year. Critics argue that this approach complicates the unemployment picture, while supporters say it reflects real-world labor patterns better than rigid full-time/part-time labels.
In commentary about the government’s data, the claim that statistics were altered by excluding intermittent fixed workers from unemployment counts lacks formal statistical support. A truly permanent staff member is expected to work for a single company, and many do not cycle through multiple jobs year-round. The reform did not erase this distinction; it simply reframes how some workers are classified within the labor market landscape.
Could the rise in intermittent fixed contracts affect unemployment data?
The impact is indirect. Some workers who used to be counted as temporary staff tied to seasonal hires might remain tied to their employer through intermittent fixed contracts. When a three-month summer contract ends, those workers could be considered unemployed. Under the intermittent model, the same individual may stay linked to the company and thus not be marked as unemployed, while still awaiting the next assignment.
The practical effect is nuanced. If a worker remains on the company’s roster, they enjoy more rights and protections and might receive compensation if laid off. Yet when seasonal demand ebbs, some of these workers will be classified as social security affiliates instead of unemployed, potentially pulling unemployment figures downward without a full cessation of work.
Analysts note that the current statistical picture does not fully reflect all active commitments. Some intermittent workers will prove productive again as seasons shift, while others may show limited activity. When autumn arrives and summer ends, the behavior of the labor market may become a useful gauge for the resilience of employment. The core question remains whether the shift in classification will translate into a sustained reduction in unemployment or simply a temporary distortion in the data.