Local Euro MP helps to steer long-awaited statute for MEPs assistants through European Parliament

4.16.52pm GMT Tue 16th Dec 2008

Last night, final negotiations between Parliament and Member States concluded years of attempts to place the arrangements for the employment of parliamentary assistants on a proper legal footing. The result was confirmed, overwhelmingly, in a parliamentary vote this morning in Strasbourg.

Diana Wallis MEP, the Liberal Democrats' Legal Affairs Committee coordinator, who negotiated the deal on behalf of the ALDE political group, welcomed the positive outcome:

"I am delighted that after many years of delay, an agreement has eventually been reached under the French Presidency within a few months. Given Parliament's growing role as a co-legislator, it is all the more important that MEPs benefit from assistance of the highest possible quality. The new common rules will provide certainty for accredited parliamentary assistants in terms of social security, taxation, representation, pension and unemployment rights.

Parliament has acted swiftly to implement the recommendations of its internal auditor creating a system that is fairer and more transparent, whilst preserving the free choice of Members to choose their own staff."

Under the new statute, Members will choose their assistants, and Parliament will employ them directly and deal with all relevant aspects such as taxation, pension and medical insurance.

"This is a pragmatic solution which will enable Parliament to go into next year's European elections with confidence that it has dealt with allegations of misconduct and abuse."

Notes:

The Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Communities will be amended to provide for an extra category of "accredited parliamentary assistant". The legal basis of the proposal is Article 283 EC.

The new rules should apply to around 1500 assistants working in Parliament's three official places of work (Strasbourg, Luxembourg, Brussels). Other assistants ("local assistants") working in the Member States of election of the MEPs remain employed under national law contracts.

The new system is scheduled to enter into effect in July 2009, once the implementing provisions have been drawn up next Spring.