Redundancies at Netjets
16.1.2013
Question for written answer E-000413-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Ivo Belet (PPE) , Carlos Coelho (PPE) , Regina Bastos (PPE) , Christine De Veyrac (PPE) , Ria Oomen-Ruijten (PPE) , Csaba Őry (PPE)
In its answer to Question E-009186/12, the Commission states that regulation (EU) No 465/2012 should not be used as an excuse by companies to dismiss aircrew staff.
However, in an internal communication on the matter Netjets states the following: ‘A new European regulation that has come into force now affects the social security regime applicable to crew based upon the country in which their gateway is located. We estimate that based on current crew levels and social security rates, these changes will cost the business an additional EUR 6.3m per year in employer contributions. (…) We propose to offer voluntary redundancy to pilots-in-command (PIC’s) with gateways in the six countries with the highest employer social security rates. (…) If the necessary reduction in the number of PIC’s cannot be achieved through voluntary redundancy then the proposal is to select PIC’s for compulsory redundancy based first on the employer social security rates of their gateway country’.
1. What action does the Commission intend to take on the matter?
2. In what ways can flight crews defend their rights against this practice?
OJ C 347 E, 28/11/2013