It might happen, but every long-term contract gig via a contracting house has offered approximately equivalent benefits to some regular W2 employer. Those sorts of engagements typically have you as W2, just with the contracting house, not the end company. I've worked a handful (6mo, 12mo), and known people who stay in those situations for years - they accrue PTO and get 401k matching, just all through the contract agency. I suppose there are some agencies that don't offer that, but you'd likely get a higher rate.

But... this is all from a US perspective. I've done all 3 - direct W2 employee, independent consultant/contractor, and 'contracted to large company to resell my time to someone else'. In the last case, W2 or 'corp to corp' was an option as well (though not always).

Also had that "can choose not to renew it" - worked out 6 month contract, didn't renew.

I guess I'm not sure what the reply was for...? I quoted "contract work (without benefits) is not an option" and you're telling me "Contract...is a full-time position with all the benefits therein".

I think there's some talking past each other going on here...