WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3458/97 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. JRC in Ispra
Date: 1997-10-31
Institutions: AMADEO, European Parliament
Subjects: European official, Italy, Joint Research Centre, appointment of staff, equal treatment, nationality, professional qualifications, promotion

25. 5. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 158/119

(98/C 158/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3457/97

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(31 October 1997)

Subject: JRC in Ispra

There have been repeated complaints from the staff at the JRC in Ispra that work allocation does not take due
account of the specific qualifications of the staff concerned.

How is it that Italian members of staff with degrees in subjects such as law, economics and politics are almost
never  used  in  appropriate  posts  while  scientific  staff  with  no  relevant  experience  or  training  are  used  in
administrative posts?

Is it merely a coincidence that the latter are not Italian?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(16 December 1997)

The Commission selects candidates by means of internal procedures and, if these fail to produce results, through
subsequent external procedures. The publication of vacancies fully complies with the rules which enable anyone
with the qualifications for the post to apply.

In accordance with the Staff Regulations for Officials and the Rules applicable to other servants, applicants are
selected without reference to race, creed or sex.

In a workplace largely involved with scientific and technical matters, even applicants with a technical training
can apply for administrative posts. At all events, and in line with the Staff Regulations, their ability to discharge
the  duties  of  the  post  to  be  filled  is  evaluated  by  reference  not  only  to  their  qualifications,  but  also  to  their
acquired knowledge.

(98/C 158/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3458/97

by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission

(31 October 1997)

Subject: JRC in Ispra

By dint of much hard work, many staff members of different nationalities at the Ispra JRC obtained a degree and,
after having passed a series of competitions, have reached grade A. However, many Italian officials are unable to
pass such competitions, despite having the necessary qualifications.

Furthermore, reports from the unions at Ispra and the opinions expressed by the Director-General of the JRC are
generally complimentary about the Italian staff.

How is it that, while Article 24 of the Staff Regulations encourages officials to improve their skills and states that
such training shall be taken into account for promotion purposes, this does not happen › or happens only rarely
› in the case of Italian staff, while it does for staff of other nationalities?

How can the Commission justify this situation, not least in the light of the White Paper in which it advocates
further training, when in practice further training does not lead to improved career prospects?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 1997)

The Commission has a specific procedure which ensures that each year the most deserving officials are selected
for promotion. It also regularly institutes a procedure which allows officials and agents to be assessed as to their
suitability for promotion to a higher category. Irrespective of nationality, personnel may also take advantage of
the opportunities offered by the Commission to follow training courses which will enhance their skills and the
services they provide.