The commission said last week that the functions of the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency will be shifted to a new outfit in Brussels in 2021. Staff at Chafea will be offered transfers to Brussels or another EU institution in Luxembourg, or be made redundant.
On Thursday, the Union Syndicale Fédérale Luxembourg and other trade unions issued a leaflet protesting the move. The document stated:
- “This decision was taken in the absence of social dialogue and of negotiation.”
- “The cost benefit analysis of the executive agencies which is used to justify the closure of Chafea remains secret!”
- “The unions signatory to this leaflet oppose the closure of Chafea because Chafea is viable. On the contrary, the unions are requesting a transfer of activities to this agency from [other directorates-general of the European Commission]. This is possible and desirable, and this is provided for in the Asselborn/Georgieva agreement on commission services in Luxembourg.”
- “Chafea has motivated, committed and competent staff.”
- “Luxembourg must remain a centre of activity for the European Commission.”
- “A survey shows that the vast majority of Chafea staff want to stay and work in Luxembourg.”
The leaflet noted that the number of people working for the European Commission in Luxembourg had declined and commented that the Chafea decision “damages” the “attractiveness” of working for EU institutions in the grand duchy.
The unions called for a concertation process to be started “as soon as possible” which would re-evaluate the future of Chafea.
The European Commission disputed the claim that no consultations were held and said the process is continuing. A commission official told Delano on 7 May that:
“A meeting with staff representatives of both the commission and the executive agencies on the organisation of the overall delegation exercise took place on 4 May. During this meeting, a general presentation was given by the relevant services of the commission to present the rationale of the reorganisation concerned. General questions concerning the impact on staff were raised by staff representatives, and will be addressed in another meeting on 13 May.
“Formal social dialogue meetings will be organised where legal acts are proposed with an impact on staff members such as establishment act and delegation acts.
“Chafea staff will keep their jobs and be transferred to Brussels with their programmes. Alternatively, where colleagues wish to remain in Luxembourg, [the European Commission’s HR directorate] will assist staff in finding opportunities for employment in Luxembourg.
“The commission, in line with its duty of care, will ensure that staff’s needs can be met.”
In addition to the Union Syndicale Fédérale Luxembourg, the unions signing the declaration were Renouveau & Démocratie, the European Civil Service Federation (FFPE) and Generation 2004.