Unions insist on input to pay-and-pension reforms

Elements of staff reform

5% reduction of staff in all categories in all institutions in 2013-17 through normal turnover (retirement and restraint in new contracts)

An increase in minimum working week for all staff in all institutions from 37.5 hours to 40 hours, without compensatory wage adjustments

Normal retirement age will increase from 63 to 65

Possibility of working voluntarily until 67 will be made easier and more attractive

Minimum age for early retirement without reduction of acquired pension rights will increase from 55 to 58; access to the scheme will be limited

Secretarial and clerical tasks in the institutions will be carried out by contractual staff rather than officials with lifetime appointments; staff will be recruited as contract agents with the possibility of obtaining contracts of unlimited duration

The maximum number of leave days for staff to visit their country of origin will be reduced from six to two

The method

The method for annual adjustments to salaries and pensions would be simplified and extended for another eight years. From 1 January 2013, Sweden and Poland would be added to the basket of eight member states used to track the evolution of national civil servants' spending power. A new exemption clause would allow the institutions to react to economic crises. The method would be accompanied by a new solidarity levy of 5.5%, applied from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2020.