Brussels, 21/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - A European Commission table shows that the European Parliament still has its work cut out for it to achieve the 5% reduction in staffing levels at the EP between 2013 and 2017, in line with the commitments made by the EU institutions.
At budget trialogue talks on 19 October (see EUROPE 11414), the Council of Ministers asked the EP to respect its job reduction targets. The figures show that the EP (which had a staff roll call of 6,618 in 2012) still needs to remove 317 jobs, or 4.8% (having only eliminated 14 jobs in four years). The European Commission (25,073 jobs in 2012) has cut its workforce by 1,015 jobs (it still needs to make a 1% reduction, 239 jobs). The Council (European Council and Council), with 3,136 members of staff, needs to make a 0.5% reduction (representing 15 jobs). EEAS (the European External Action Service), which had 1,679 members of staff in 2012, has cut its personnel by 51, and needs a further 2% reduction (33 jobs). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)