Have you considered that your competition may include roles in Luxembourg? Many more institutions are present in Luxembourg than you may think (e.g. the European Parliament and the Council). Be ready to make informed decisions about your available options. Yes, Luxembourg has free public transport countrywide. Yes, the Commission will pay for your citybike subscription. Yes, Luxembourg might subsidise your new bike/electric vehicle. Continue reading Making informed decisions: Luxembourg
Contract Agents
The institutions implement the Picard judgement – sort of … FAQ
*Update 06.09.2023 Check out this (Brussels) event for anyone who has made pension contributions in Germany.* Original article: In April, we informed you during a lunchtime conference about the judgement in the Picard case and its far-reaching consequences for (former) contract agents (CAs) and temporary agents (TAs) or more precisely: staff that were previously covered by the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (CEOS).
While the judgement is one of (very few) positive events in recent years for temporary staff, Continue reading The institutions implement the Picard judgement – sort of … FAQ
Be aware of lost money for a pension transfer-in
*Update 09.08.2023 check out the unsuccessful attempt by colleagues to have a refund of the amount of pension rights not taken into account (04/05/2023 – KY v Cour de justice de l’UE Case C-100/22 P).* Original article: Are you (relatively) new in the institutions? Have you worked somewhere else before and acquired pension rights in another pension scheme? Then you have surely heard about the possibilities to transfer your pension rights from your previous scheme into the EU pension scheme, a so called “transfer-in”.
In an older article, we already informed you about the conversion coefficients that play a crucial role in determining how many years Continue reading Be aware of lost money for a pension transfer-in
Generation 2004 supports staff in agencies
The staff of the Executive Agencies of the European Commission (currently CINEA, EACEA, HADEA, Eismea, ERCEA and REA) have seen their working conditions deteriorate over the years.[1] Colleagues in the agencies are facing staff reductions while the budgets that they manage increase regularly. All this in a context of precariousness and limited career and mobility possibilities! Continue reading Generation 2004 supports staff in agencies
Minimum wage in Luxembourg for contract agents – Parliament shows the way
*Update 01.09.2023: the social minimum wage for Luxembourg is now 3085.11 EUR gross (or 2570.93 EUR for unskilled workers).* Original article: In March we wrote about a glimmer of hope for contract agents in Luxembourg, who are earning less than the national minimum wage and need a special allowance just to touch this very minimum. The problem is that the Commission includes a number of EU allowances when comparing the salaries to determine the amount of this special allowance (see Commission decision C(2015) 4907 and the administrative notice 07-2017, March 2017): most notably, the expatriation allowance is included in the calculation. Continue reading Minimum wage in Luxembourg for contract agents – Parliament shows the way
Reclassification: 5 working days to appeal!
For all contract agent (CA) colleagues not proposed for reclassification and who feel the reason is not related to performance but to other reasons: change of unit/department, parental/maternity leave, change of line manager, personal conflicts etc. you can file an appeal in Sysper. Check out our instructions and how to draft your text and the template below. Check Ares(2021)2467829 – 12/04/2021 CSC note on CA 3a (page 3) for average reclassification speeds and note that CA 3b staff cannot be reclassified meaning that, frustratingly, no matter how good your appraisal, there are no rewards associated with it.
Continue reading Reclassification: 5 working days to appeal!
End of service: informed decisions please!
So, the Commission is not what you expected and you’d like to leave at the end of your contract: you’re not looking for a renewal/extension. You don’t want to hang around to see whether you get the opportunity of working 6 years (plus a potential ‘unicorn’ year)[1] before having to leave the Commission, taking all of your knowledge and experience with you. If this is you, please discuss your situation with your line manager. Continue reading End of service: informed decisions please!
Lunchtime conference: the Picard case
*Update 23.06.2023: HR MyIntracomm article.* Do you want to know more about the recent Picard judgement C-366/21 P concerning Contract Agent (CA) pension rights? This case has repercussions on pension accrual and also on retirement age. We presented the different aspects of the judgement in this during our lunch-time conference. You can find the recorded video and the PowerPoint presentation here.
Minimum wage in Luxembourg for contract agents – finally a glimmer of hope
*Update 01.09.2023: the social minimum wage for Luxembourg is now 3085.11 EUR gross (or 2570.93 EUR for unskilled workers).**Update: see our June article on the good example being set by the Parliament.* Original article: Many colleagues struggle today with the high level of inflation and the increased costs of living. But already before the current economic crisis, the situation was difficult for colleagues in Luxembourg with a low salary. While money can’t buy happiness, it does certainly help: Luxembourg’s levels of happiness have also fallen. Luxembourg has the highest minimum wage in Europe, with a minimum of 2 936.48 EUR for qualified workers (as of 1 February 2023 – the corresponding inflation index has a value of 898.93 points and 100 points equal an amount of 326.66 EUR). Continue reading Minimum wage in Luxembourg for contract agents – finally a glimmer of hope
Contract Agents in Delegations conference Tuesday 28 February
We are delighted to invite you at the Generation 2004 meeting dedicated to staff in the European Commission Delegations. Mobility: a reality of life as Contractual Agents at Union Delegations outside the EU for EEAS and Commission colleagues. Are you preparing for a new mobility? Do you believe there are possibilities to improve the exercise? Continue reading Contract Agents in Delegations conference Tuesday 28 February
