European parliamentary assistants: application of social security schemes

The Commission accepts one of the five amendments made by the European Parliament. This relates to a reference in the recitals concerning the possibility of employment by several Members of the European Parliament. The other amendments are not accepted: -the Commission refuses to replace the term "European parliamentary assistant" with the term "assistants to members of the European Parliament." -the additional justification for the right of option is not acceptable. The right of option is justified by the specific nature of the direct link between parliamentary assistant and member and not because the assistants' salaries and social security contributions are taken from the Community budget, which is also the case for other parliamentary workers. -it is already made clear in the Commission's text that the assistant may be contacted for a period shorter than the term of office of the member employing her. -the Commission rejects the option for assistant who have chosen for German legislation to be applied, to remain affiliated to the system covering the Land where they were last resident. This amendment is not needed to ensure the correct operation of the right of option for the German system. �