An Evaluation of The Effect of Contract Employment to The Socio-Economic Welfare of The Contract Employees Under The Current Economic Conditions In South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the conditions under-which the fixed term contract employees operate in comparison to the permanent employees. The study also looked at the perceived job insecurity and how this would affect the attitude towards working and fulfilling their roles. Job satisfaction, motivation, performance and turnover intentions were looked at with a focus on motivation for performance, special reference was made to reasons why the fixed term contract employee would perform. Data was collected from 50 employees fixed term contract employees of the university and the results came up with these findings. The findings point out to interesting –performance coming from fear of reprisals and accusation of underperformance leading to refusal by the employer to renew the contract. Much concern was shown around the difference in attitude towards work with the permanent employees taking their jobs for granted. The fixed term contract employs had low job satisfaction, felt that they were under a form of slavery and felt that they were unfairly treated. There was a strong commitment to wanting to improve themselves with others considering the age as serious threat to their desire to develop themselves. Generally, their aspirations were towards getting a permanent job so that they can be able to feed their children and dependents.