U4U supports the demands of language teachers. They are also entitled to fair pay and decent working conditions!
Language teachers play a vital role in the professional development of civil servants and other staff in the European public service.
In a multicultural and multilingual environment, their training directly drives professional effectiveness. It enables staff to carry out their duties competently, flexibly and with an open mind.
Moreover, the Staff Regulations of European civil servants make their role indispensable:
- Proficiency in a third language is required for the first promotion.
- It is also required for contract staff in function group 4 to obtain a permanent contract.
In other words, without them, there is no prospect of career progression or contract extensions.
Unacceptable job insecurity
However, these training courses are delivered by trainers who are hired as private contractors via training companies that are selected through calls for tenders by the European institutions.
The situation facing these teachers is worrying:
• An average gross hourly rate of between €28 and €35 (sometimes €45 in Luxembourg), which covers not only the lesson itself, but also preparation time.
• No social security contributions are covered (sickness, pension or accident).
• No payment for leave.
• No compensation for periods without lessons.
Even worse, payment for hours worked is made after the 20^(th) of the following month.
These practices undermine the work of these highly qualified professionals, who contribute directly to the quality of European public services.
This situation cannot continue. We therefore demand:
In the short term
The Commission must include binding clauses in calls for tenders that guarantee fair remuneration for all work performed, including teaching, preparation and follow-up, as well as decent social provisions.
In the medium term
The Commission must integrate these teachers as permanent contract staff within an inter-institutional training body in order to:
– stabilise teaching teams
– develop modules tailored to institutional realities
– enhance the quality and consistency of language and cultural training.
In this context, we also call for the reinstatement of teachers who have left or been excluded from the service due to the poor conditions offered to them.
By supporting this call, we are defending not only our teachers, but also the quality of the European public service.
To sign the petition, please provide your surname, first name, and work email address. Sign here!