91997E3458

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.