91997E2886

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2886/97 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)

Subject: Age discrimination in recruitment for the European institutions

Does the Commission know of any research which supports its claim that age discrimination is necessary when recruiting for the European institutions in order to overcome geographical imbalances in staff membership?

Would such imbalances be improved if the age restrictions did not apply to recruitment from peripheral areas of the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (23 October 1997)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-1623/97 by Mr Smith ((OJ C 45, 10.2.1998, p. 63. )) concerning the link between the application of age limits and maintaining a geographical balance for recruitment purposes.

The Commission is reviewing its policy on age limits for recruitment of officials.

The Board of Heads of Administration has held an initial discussion with a view to developing a common approach for the European institutions. Discussion will continue in this forum.

The question of age limits for recruitment will be discussed along with other matters in the context of the forthcoming entry into force of the new Article (Article 6a) inserted in the EC Treaty by the Amsterdam Treaty, prohibiting discrimination on various grounds, including age, and in the light of general practice in this field in the Member States.