In 1999 the European social partners negotiated the framework agreement on fixed-term work which was then put into effect by Council Directive 1999/70/EC. It contains, inter alia, measures designed to prevent abuse of successive fixed-term contracts. As the relevant clause of the agreement is rather loosely framed, its effect on legislative approximation in the EU is debatable. However, a study of the law on successive fixed-term employment contracts of fifteen EU Member States showed that legislative approximation in this field of law has largely been achieved.
International Journal of Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations