EPSU affiliate Union Syndicale's open letter to European Ombudsman: regulate revolving door

(12 November 2014) Campaigners have revealed how high level Commission officials and Commissioners seek lucrative jobs as consultants afrer their careers in the European Commission. They often deal with the dossiers and legislation they were responsible for and thus have unique (and lucrative) insight in legislation. And also lobbyist switch sides to work in the Commission advising on the very subjects they were lobbyists for. This practice is called the "revolving" door and transparency campaigners have long asked that it be regulated for example through cooling off periods for such high level jobs. EPSU affiliate Union Syndicale, representing civil service workers in the European Commission and other European institutions has now called on the European Ombudsma to go forward in demanding that this practice be strictly regulated. The union is concerned that the practice damages the reputation of the European institutions. It also condemns the parachutes when members of cabinets of the ex-Commissioners are appointed chef or director without having had the sufficient years as civil servants.

The voice from the inside this joins that of campaigners for more transparency and clear rules to safeguard the quality and professionalism of the Commission and other EU agencies.

For the letter: