STANDING CONCERTATION COMMITTEE ORDINARY MEETING ON 19 APRIL 1999

The meeting was mainly devoted to examination of the following matters:

- Administrative circular n¡14 (Accidents and illnesses suffered by members of the personnel): The SCC heard a status report on the revision of this circular which, due to the diversity of subjects to be addressed, is a complex process. Consultation with the services concerned has begun and a preliminary draft text codifying the current practice and comprising four separate sections (procedure for determining occupational illnesses and accidents; meanings of the terms incapacity, disability, and unsuitability; death; Joint Advisory Rehabilitation and Disability Board) is being prepared. The Committee endorsed the proposed approach. A more detailed discussion will be held shortly within the SCC Sub-Group on the review of the Staff Rules and Regulations and administrative circulars.

- Administrative Circular n¡ 22 (Award of additional periods of membership in the Pension Fund to shift workers): A proposal specifying the principles applicable both to members of the personnel on shift work recruited since 1 July 1983 and to newly recruited personnel is being prepared. This proposal, together with updated information on the number of potential cases, will be submitted to the SCC at its next meeting.

Subject to certain changes to the form of the text, the members of the Committee approved a proposal to advance the inter-divisional review process for staff qualifying for an indefinite contract.

The SCC was given a status report, including key figures, on the work of the Joint Advisory Disciplinary Board. The number of cases examined by the Board has risen since1994 and significant results have been obtained. The SCC thanked the Board members and underlined the importance of the work performed over the past years.

The members of the Committee also had an informal discussion on the preparation of this meeting, and in particular the Forum's work plan, a large section of which was devoted to the preparation of the five-yearly remuneration review. This matter will be discussed at greater length at the next meeting of the Committee.

The next ordinary meeting of the SCC will be held on 12 May 1999.