WRITTEN QUESTION E-1405/03 by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission. The Commission's staff policy.
Date: 2003-04-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, European official, image, personnel administration, regulations for civil servants, servant (EU)

C 65 E/78

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

13.3.2004

(2004/C 65 E/087)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1405/03

by Herbert Bösch (PSE) to the Commission

(23 April 2003)

Subject: The Commission’s staff policy

About two years ago the Commission Representation in Vienna attracted attention as a result of its
the
employment methods. People were appointed on the basis of employment contracts, without
knowledge of the Commission, to fill a number of different posts. When the Commission carried out
checks these employees had to ‘keep out of
to come to the
representation on these days, but to continue their work at home). Since then the Commission has already
been convicted in one case by the Austrian Employment and Social Court, and OLAF investigations are
pending.

(they were instructed not

the way’

Recently the former head of the Commission’s Vienna Representation, Hatto Käfer, began working as press
officer of the Court of Justice of the European Communities, having been promoted from an A5 to an A3
post in the process. It was Mr Käfer who on the occasion of Commission checks issued written instructions
to all holders of employment contracts to stay at home and carry on working there and not to be seen at
the Commission Representation.

Alberto Hasson, who was responsible at that time for the representations in the Member States, is now
director ad interim of the entire administration of the Press DG, and is to be appointed as its permanent
director shortly. Mr Hasson was one of the people with most responsibility for the Vienna representation
and it was due to him that, among other things, the head of its staff representation being dismissed
without notice.

Is it the Commission’s practice to promote officials who are currently under legal investigation?

If so, in what other cases has the Commission acted in this way?

If not, what measures does the Commission take in such cases?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 2003)

The question makes certain allegations about Commission officials referred to by name. This is an attack
on their reputation and breaches the right enjoyed by every individual to be considered innocent until
proven guilty. It could also harm the administrative and legal situation of the officials concerned.

The Commission wishes to correct the following points in the statements made by the Honourable
Member:

(cid:1) the recruitment procedure for filling the post of director in the Directorate-General (DG) PRESS is

under way;

(cid:1) the second official referred to in the question was responsible for personnel and administration in DG
PRESS (Headquarters and Representations), and not specifically for the Commission Representations in
the Member States;

(cid:1) the decision to dismiss a member of the local staff without notice was taken by the authority
empowered to conclude contracts of employment in full compliance with the relevant rules. The local
staff member concerned did not have the status of ‘head of its staff representation’ (Betriebsrätin) as
claimed;

(cid:1) regarding the former deputy head of the Commission’s Representation in Austria, the Commission
would point out that it is not appropriate for it to say anything concerning an appointment made by
another institution.