Brussels, 14 October, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Schools in Brussels are facing renewed scrutiny over employment practices after reports that school supervisors continue to receive successive fixed-term contracts despite a Belgian labour court ruling against the arrangements. The controversy has intensified concerns about employment security, workers’ rights and compliance with Belgian labour legislation at educational institutions serving families connected to European institutions.
The dispute centres on supervisors responsible for monitoring pupils during lunch breaks and other school activities. Belgian trade union ACV Puls has challenged the repeated use of temporary employment agreements, arguing that the practice creates financial uncertainty for staff.
Brussels Court Ruling Challenges Short-Term Employment Contracts
According to reporting by The Brussels Times on 14 October 2026, the Brussels Labour Court ruled in April against the European School of Uccle, officially known as EEB1, over its systematic use of consecutive fixed-term contracts.
The court determined that the contractual arrangements challenged in the proceedings were unlawful under Belgian employment legislation.
Despite that ruling, school supervisors reportedly received new temporary contracts when the academic year began in September.
These agreements typically cover approximately ten months, leaving affected employees without contracts during the summer holidays.
The judgment specifically concerned the employment practices examined at the Uccle school. It does not automatically establish that every European School in Brussels has breached employment legislation.
Belgian Trade Union Raises Serious Concerns Over Workers’ Rights
ACV Puls has criticised the continued use of temporary agreements and urged school administrators to implement the court’s decision.
Union secretary Tom Holvoet told The Brussels Times that judicial decisions must be respected and implemented.
The organisation argues that recurring fixed-term contracts can undermine employment stability, particularly for workers who have performed the same duties over several years.
Staff representative Lieke Nijhof also raised concerns about the long-standing nature of these arrangements, with some employees reportedly working under successive contracts for decades.
The union raised the matter with the Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools in September 2026.
According to the published reporting, the issue was referred to the organisation’s internal social dialogue process.
The Secretary-General’s office had not provided a response to The Brussels Times before its report was published.
Previous Employment Disputes Highlight Wider Challenges
The latest controversy follows earlier disagreements over working conditions within the European education system.
In February 2025, locally recruited teachers in Brussels announced industrial action amid concerns about contractual security and differences in employment conditions.
The European Ombudsman had also previously examined employment-related complaints involving locally recruited teachers, concluding a separate investigation in March 2023.
Although those proceedings concerned different categories of employees, they provide context for the continuing debate over employment arrangements within the European Schools system.
The institutions deliver multilingual education and primarily serve children of employees working for European Union bodies.
How the Contract Dispute Could Affect Brussels Education
For affected school supervisors, repeated temporary contracts can create uncertainty about future employment, financial planning and continuity of income.
The dispute also raises administrative questions for school authorities about the application of Belgian employment legislation and the implementation of judicial rulings.
For parents and pupils, the controversy draws attention to the employment conditions of staff who contribute to everyday school operations.
However, there is no confirmed evidence that the latest dispute has disrupted classroom teaching or school schedules.
What Happens Next in the Brussels Employment Controversy?
ACV Puls is seeking changes to the contractual arrangements and wants school administrators to comply with the April court ruling.
The union has called for more secure employment conditions for affected supervisors.
As of 14 October 2026, no confirmed timetable for implementing contractual changes or additional court proceedings has been publicly established in the available reporting.
The response of school administrators and further discussions with employee representatives will determine how the disagreement develops.
The controversy places renewed attention on employment protections and the responsibilities of educational institutions operating within Brussels’ European institutional community.
