Legal Question: Contracts & Permanent Contracts

Questioner

Good day, My third annual contract will soon expire. Up until now, I have always been offered a contract for 24 hours. Is my employer obliged to offer me a permanent contract for the same number of hours (24) or can my employer choose to offer me a contract for fewer hours. And do I have to agree to this? I would like to hear your response

Lawyer

Your employer is not obliged to offer you a permanent contract with the same number of hours. The employer may choose to offer you a contract with fewer hours. It is then up to you whether or not you want to accept the offer. There may still be room with your employer to negotiate about the number of hours. If your contract is tacitly extended, your employer may not change the number of hours. By tacit extension is meant that you continue to work for the same employer after your contract has expired, without any discussion about an extension of your contract.