Ah, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (Eismea). Just when we thought things couldn’t get any more exciting (read: Eismea: when better becomes worse | Generation 2004), we’re hit with yet another plot twist: the publishing of a new position that has everyone scratching their heads. It’s like that moment in a movie where the villain turns out to be… Continue reading Eismea’s Latest Adventure: A Mission to the US or Losing Staff Trust Forever?
What happened to the fair share?
*Update 25.09.2024 check out the Opinion from 50+ civil society organisations on the new European Commission and Equality ‘downgrade’ in European Commission dismays rights groups*
Original article: Here we go again, beautiful words that are forgotten at the first hurdle. On the occasion of the naming of the unbalanced new college of Commissioners and in light of the observation that Gender equality is still [at best] 60 years away, Generation 2004 looks back at the declarations the president has made about the changes she identified as necessary, the changes she promised to implement, the fair share she demanded not so long ago… Continue reading What happened to the fair share?
It’s all about our rights!
*Update 28.10.2024 we’ve added a status on the case(s) at the bottom of this article. Thank you all for your support!*
Original article: We start with a story[1]. There was once an EU Member State whose government was repeatedly named as a cause for concern with regards to its record on the rule of law (2020, European Parliament), the rights of women (2022, UN) and those of minorities (2022, Amnesty International) That government was also named as a cause of concern with regards to allegations of oppressing independent journalists and media freedom (2023, MFRR)[2]. Continue reading It’s all about our rights!
Education allowances – Higher education
Are you a parent navigating the complexities of higher education allowances for your dependent child? This informative session, organised by PMO, might be interesting for you. It will focus on the various types of allowances available and the essential steps to complete the education declaration in Sysper for the 2024/25 academic year.
Continue reading Education allowances – Higher education
Conference: transfer-out of pension rights
*Update 03.10.2024 a transfer out to a PMO-approved scheme, such as the one presented by the (external) Allianz broker is only one of several options available.*
*Update 01.10.2024 full list of PMO-approved schemes added.* *Update 26.09.2024 footnote on local agents added below.* Continue reading Conference: transfer-out of pension rights
EPSO’s Chronic Ineptitude – Ombudsman Exposes Systemic Failures
*Update 10.11.2024 the European Court of Auditors, Special report 24/2024: EU Civil service–A flexible employment framework, insufficiently used to improve workforce management, 2024 coincides with many of the issues we have pointed out below. Check it out!* Continue reading EPSO’s Chronic Ineptitude – Ombudsman Exposes Systemic Failures
Housing allowance in Luxembourg – where are we?
*Update 23.01.2025 Luxembourg-based staff; check the email received Wendesday 22.01.2025 ‘Housing allowance // Allocation de logement’ for info. The decision is neither final nor public. Luxembourg media announced a housing allowance in December 2024. We expect the final version to fall short of its stated intention of addressing the recruitment and retention of staff in Luxembourg (‘the Luxembourg attractivity problem‘).* Continue reading Housing allowance in Luxembourg – where are we?
More clarity about the changes to the annual travel allowance
*Update 16.09.2024 we have received no response to our May note as yet.*
Original article: In our May newsletter, we informed you about the changes to the annual travel payment following a recent judgement by the Court in case C‑567/22 P. Before the judgement and following the 2014 reform of the staff regulations, colleagues with a place of origin outside the EU had their place of origin moved fictionally to the capital city of the Member State of their EU nationality. Continue reading More clarity about the changes to the annual travel allowance
Upholding flexibility offered by Third-party option in Mobility.net
*Update 24.10.2024 We’re aware of OIB now accepting cross-border commuter passes reimbursement requests via myPMO, but Luxembourg-based colleagues are to use the same method as before.*
*Update 15.07.2024 Check out ‘A new tool for reimbursement’ in the Brussels Green Commuting Communication on MyIntracomm. It promises reimbursement of Brussels transport tickets without having to wait for them to expire. Have you managed to do this? Please let us know!*
Continue reading Upholding flexibility offered by Third-party option in Mobility.net
Ignored efforts: Unfair outcomes
*Update 07.08.2024: answer from HR to our note. Generation 2004 wrote to DG HR to point out a disparity in treatment faced by colleagues involved in the Selection Boards of Competitions. Those present on these boards represent either the staff representation or our own HR (‘the administration’) and all of them invest a considerable time and effort.
