The Flemish Parliament yesterday approved the draft decree text to allow temporary work within the Flemish government as well as local and regional authorities.

Yesterday, trade unions had lobbied parliament against temporary work in the public sector and following the decision, the trade unions expressed dissatisfaction. They had said that temporary work costs twice as much as ordinary labour.

Temporary agency workers will now be able to work in roles with the Flemish government and the local authorities, such as municipal authorities.

Unlike private sector temporary work, temporary workers within the public sector will not be able to transition to permanent employees. However, the Flemish parliament added that someone can start as a temporary replacement and if the staff member that was replaced does not return permanently, then the temporary worker will eventually be permanently accepted after a selection procedure.

"Temporary work allows the government to offer a quick solution for the replacement of a temporarily absent staff member or for exceptional work that requires specific knowledge or expertise," Minister of Home Affairs Liesbeth Homans said.

Homans added that temporary employment can also bring more diversity within the workforce and offers people from disadvantaged groups, the low-skilled and the over-50s the opportunity to gain work experience.