Chile Supreme Court Rejects Contract Renewals for Ministry Employees Over Trust Issues

Chile’s Supreme Court affirmed an earlier decision of the Arica Appeals Court, confirming that two long‑term employees of the Ministry of National Assets will not have their contracts renewed for 2026. The Court held that criminal and disciplinary records presented by the public prosecutor, police, and a guarantee court provided objective grounds to deny renewal, emphasizing the principles of legitimate trust and presumption of innocence. The Ministry argued that the non‑renewal was an administrative measure, not a sanction, and cited the temporary nature of contract positions, which ordinarily expire on December 31 each year unless expressly extended.

The ruling maintains the status quo for the employees, who had served nearly twenty years, and underscores the Court’s view that ongoing investigations and lack of a final administrative sanction do not justify contract continuation.