So far, only one third of our remaining colleagues from the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency (Chafea) have declared their intention to move with their job to Brussels. This leaves two thirds to either change their mind or find an alternative and the clock is ticking (the 2-month deadline for staff to make a decision is fast approaching: accept the transfer or refuse?). Given that Chafea is 15 years old and many of our colleagues have been there from the beginning these results are understandable, but it’s not just Chafea staff losing out: the move has the potential to cause a massive loss of expertise; knowledge and experience gained since 2005 and lost to us all if colleagues leave the EU institutions completely.
Generation 2004 supports the urgent creation of an accompanying committee to ensure that the best possible effort is made by all of us to explore all of the available options for those wishing to stay in Luxembourg. While we need to ensure that our Chafea colleagues are making informed decisions in full possession of the facts and that they are aware of suitable vacancies with similar responsibilities, it is of equal importance that the institutions are aware of this pool of experienced staff, the skills they have to offer and the obligatory periods of notice (the standard rules apply).
On a happier note, congratulations to those from Chafea who have already found another post: well done and all the best!
We will keep you informed of Chafea happenings, please feel free to get in touch!
30.10.2020 the transfer date for executive agency activities (‘delegation package’) was moved from January 2021 to March 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic: this will have repercussions for the transition action plan.
15.2.2021 College approves executive agencies reshuffle: All six agencies will be based in Brussels
‘All CHAFEA staff are also invited to follow their programmes to their new agencies in Brussels … we have created a special task force within DG HR to support the CHAFEA administration in answering staff questions and to welcome colleagues to Belgium. And there will be a transition period with 100% teleworking from Luxembourg to allow families to finish the school year and move at the time that suits them best … some staff will be nonetheless unable to move to Brussels for personal reasons. The Commission is committed to prioritising their recruitment in our services in Luxembourg, taking into account their individual needs and profiles, and we have asked other institutions and agencies in Luxembourg to do the same.’
