Brussels, 10/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - COREPER, the Committee of member states' permanent representatives to the EU, will resume its discussions on Friday 11 December, in the hope of reaching agreement on the proposal for salary increases for European civil servants (see EUROPE 10033). The European Commission continues to defend the method of calculation, the effect of which will be to grant a 3.7% increase in EU officials' wages and pensions between summer 2008 and summer 2009. Several EU countries (both net contributors to the EU budget, such as Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, and countries which have cut back on their own civil servants' salaries, such as Greece, Ireland and Hungary) are calling for a substantial quid pro quo in return for granting the 3.7% award. Several options have been tabled in an attempt to reach an acceptable compromise by qualified majority.
At a general meeting, European Commission officials decided to support the call, launched by their Council colleagues, for a three-hour cessation of work on Monday if no solution to the situation is found by then. At the same time, Parliament officials held a meeting to decide on how to react.
The Commission has pointed out that wage developments for national civil servants in a group of eight countries and the cost of living index in Brussels are taken into account in calculating increases. “It is up to the Council to come into line with its own obligations and adopt this regulation in the prescribed time” (that is, before 31 December). Otherwise, “the Council will lay itself open to action provided for before the Court of Justice,” said a Commission spokeswoman. (L.C./transl.rt)