Brussels, 25/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - Reform of EU public service staff regulations is expected to be ratified on Tuesday evening 25 June at the final inter-institutional negotiating session.
On the question of salaries, the new method will maintain the principle of automaticity and parallelism (method for calculating annual adjustment of salaries for EU civil servants depending on wage trends and purchasing power of national civil servants). Nonetheless, the method will not apply in 2013 and 2014, when salaries will be frozen. The method will expire in 2023 and a review is also provided for in 2018 and 2022 on the basis of a European Commission report on purchasing power trends. It should be noted that from 1 January 2014, the solidarity contribution will increase from 5.5 to 6% (7% for senior positions). Travelling expenses will be withdrawn for civil servants above grade AD9 who do not have families. Holidays for officials based in their countries will be limited to 18 days.
The age of retirement has been raised from 63 to 65 (66 for new officials with the possibility of retiring at 67 or 70 in exceptional cases).
For careers, the weekly working time increases from 37.5 to 40 hours without compensation. A new group has been set up for secretaries (SC as well as AST and AD), contracted agents can be recruited for six years (three-year maximum will no longer apply).
Another strike by officials from all the institutions is planned for Wednesday, with Council officials remaining on strike until Friday, the day of the European Council.
Coreper will examine the text on Wednesday or Friday. The legal affairs committee of the European Parliament could provide its opinion on Thursday ahead of a vote at the plenary at the beginning of July. (LC/transl.fl)