Brussels, 31/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission adopted on Tuesday several decisions related to its internal reform and presented an updated timetable for adoption of the next measures. The last -and most sensitive- package, reform of pay and pension systems and the career system, will be dealt with next January.
* On Tuesday, the Commission determined the conditions to be complied with in each Directorate General for the setting into place of internal audits. It also established a charter for the functioning of the audit service charged with monitoring the audit departments of the DGs and a timetable for the subsequent stages.
* In November, the Commission will adopt a proposal for a framework directive for the externalisation of certain activities and discipline, whistleblowing, etc.
* By the end of the year, the Commission will propose a number of consultation documents on recruitment and careers (training, mobility, etc.). These will include establishment of a common recruitment procedure for the different institutions.
* Next January, the Commission will table its proposals for a radical revision of pay and retirement systems and career structure. These will be consultative documents, to be discussed with staff, but also with the Council and EP. Legislative proposals will be developed by end 2001. To be able to propose these different reforms in parallel, the Commission needs the Council's agreement to prolong the method for calculation of remuneration. Commissioner Kinnock's Head of Cabinet said the Commission had the support of most Member States. Asked about the very sensitive subject of the danger of strikes by staff, Philippe Lowe pointed out that the period between the presentation of an initial version in January and the final proposals is precisely planned to allow dialogue, while stressing that "should there be a conflict situation, the Commission would accept its political responsibilities and continue the reform. … The Commission has traditionally supported its staff against the Council, and will do so again if necessary, but this must not encroach upon what must be implemented, for example, switching to a merit system".