Europees Parlement stemt in met verkleining ambtelijke staf (en)
EU staff costs will be reduced by €2.7 billion by 2020, plus €1.5 billion a year in the longer term, thanks to a reform of EU staff rules, already agreed with national governments and approved by Parliament on Tuesday. Changes include a freeze on pay and pensions, longer working hours, a higher retirement age and a new solidarity levy. Salaries and pensions will be adjusted in line with those of national civil servants in 11 member states.
Pay and pension freeze, longer working hours, staff cut
For two years, 2013 and 2014, staff pay and pensions will not increase. The minimum number of working hours will be raised from 37.5 to 40 without financial compensation. Parliament also agreed to reduce EU staff by 5% in 2013-17.
Higher retirement age
The retirement age is raised from 63 to 66 for the new staff and to 65 for those already recruited. Working until 70 years old will be encouraged.
Solidarity levy
A new "solidarity levy" will be applied, to be paid on the top of existing income tax. All officials will pay a levy 6%, with the exception of those in the top two grades who will pay 7%.
Salaries and pension adjustment method
The approved new method of adjusting EU staff salaries and pensions will be based on those set by 11 member states* for their national civil servants, rather than inflation-based indexation. It will take effect only in 2015.
"Crisis" clause
The new rules also include a "crisis" clause that allows wage increases to be partially and automatically suspended in response to negative macroeconomic indicators. This clause would have been applied in 2009, for instance.
Establishing a stronger link between grade and responsibility and reducing promotion rates will mean lower end-of-career salaries for a number of administrators and assistants and, consequently, lower pensions. Salaries of new secretarial and clerical staff will also be cut.
The legislative resolution was approved by 522 votes in favour 150 against and 39 abstentions. The new rules will take effect at the start of 2014.
*Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Sweden and United Kingdom.
Procedure: codecision (ordinary legislative procedure), agreement in first reading