Brussels, 26/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - Last week the European Commission adopted three proposals on the termination or final ceasing of work of more than 800 European officials from the various Community institutions in 2002 to 2004. The plans cover 600 Commission officials, 94 Council officials, 100 European Parliament officials and 24 temporary agents working for the EP's political groups. The terminations were accepted in principle by the Council in November (see EUROPE of 13 November 2001) as part of the internal Commission reforms, after lengthy discussions at COREPER. The Commission amended its proposal to take account of the criticism made by the Member State representatives of the eligibility criteria and compensation packages. The Council has doubts about applying the measures to temporary agents working for the European Parliament's political groups, but supports opening the termination scheme up to the other Institutions, requesting, however, that their involvement in the terminations be covered by separate legislation.
Commission. The terminations will be organised in batches of 200 people a year. The Commission is proposing to raise the eligibility criteria to 55 years of age and 15 years of service, rather than 50 years of age and 10 years of service as stipulated in the initial January 2001 proposal, with a reduction in the average level of compensation to no more than 62.5% of final salary (as opposed to the initial proposal or 65%). The compromise also foresees the acquisition of additional pension rights for no more than 65 months, rather than 6 years as previously suggested. The final ending of employment measures had become urgent for the healthy functioning of its services, so the Commission insisted the draft regulation concerning the Commission be brought forward without any further delays. The terminations aim to correct various situations of lack of professional adaptability resulting from changes in the past, noted the Commission, adding that the one-off terminations did not form any kind of precedent for the future, especially since the Council is opposed to a permanent early retirement system. The Commission also explains that should there not be enough candidates meeting the requirements, it would not use all its quota of 600 and the savings results resulting from the measures would allow for the recruitment of 273 new officials.
Council. The number of officials that could be terminated has been assessed by the Council's Secretariat General at 94 over a period of three years. The proposal aims to authorise the termination of exactly 94 officials (12 As, 22 LAs, 8 Bs, 44 Cs and 8 Ds) from 2002 to 2004. Some 46 new jobs would be created.
Parliament. The conditions governing the termination of European Parliament staff are identical to those applying to Commission officials. Parliament is planning to release 100 officials and 24 temporary agents working for the political groups over the three year period and is planning to recruit 58 members of staff.