Institutions to face probe into ‘ageist’ hiring

Date: 11/10/01

By Martin Banks

THE European Ombudsman has launched an investigation after four EU institutions admitted they still use age limits in recruitment.

The European Court of Justice, Council of Ministers, Court of Auditors and the Economic and Social Committee impose an upper age limit of 45 in hiring staff.

Ombudsman Jacob Söderman says this flies in the face of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights, and is investigating if the restriction is legally justified.

Scottish Socialist deputy Catherine Stihler, of the Campaign for Parliamentary Reform group, has also asked the bodies to justify their policy. She said: "This is rank discrimination against older people and it has got to stop. It's almost as if these institutions are condemning anyone over the age of 45 to the jobs scrap heap. What right have we to dictate to others about employment rights when our own institutions are lacking in this regard?"

Thirteen EU institutions, including the European Central Bank and Europol, said they do not discriminate. But the European Commission, European Parliament and Committee of Regions are yet to reply to the Ombudsman. However, European Voice has learned that despite pledging to abolish age limits from 1 July, the Commission continues to publish notices of competition jobs with age limits.

The administrative heads of the four institutions with age limits say that young workers are more productive, adaptable and less prone to illness. They employ more than 4,500 permanent and 400 temporary staff, with the majority, 2,590, working for the Council. Söderman said the Charter aims to give equal employment rights to everyone, including those applying for jobs with EU institutions.

The European Ombudsman has launched an investigation after four EU institutions admitted they still use age limits in recruitment.