Eight out of ten companies support increasing the student work cap to 650 hours per year, according to a survey by HR service provider Group S.
Of the 750 companies surveyed, 79.9% are in favour of the new measure, 7.5% are neutral, and 12.6% are opposed, Group S stated in a Sunday morning press release.
Six in ten companies already employ student workers, primarily to address staff shortages. Among these, over one-third (34%) plan to increase the number of student workers if the proposal to raise the cap from 475 to 650 hours per year is passed.
Among companies not yet employing students, 25% are considering it, 38% will not, and 37% are undecided, the statement added.
Frank Verbruggen, Legal Manager of Group S, noted that companies already managing with their current student workforce do not necessarily need more students. The new measure simply offers more flexibility in staff planning, he explained, highlighting that it provides a solution to staff shortages and eases personnel planning for businesses.
However, the liberal trade union CGSLB has expressed concerns that student jobs, currently limited to summer vacations, could become year-round employment.
The youth section of the CSC union also criticised the proposal, warning that students working year-round might jeopardise their education.
