Dear Brussels...

Let me apologize for this somewhat populist, Marxist and disgruntled blog entry from the start. But as a EU citizen, you can’t help wonder about Brussels sometimes...

My sister recently forwarded me a link to the EU in Brussels who have posted job vacancies. The EU in Brussels is hiring junior staff for audit, economics, law etc. until April 15th, so hurry if you think this one’s for you.

I looked at the salary structure for these jobs by the name of AD 5. AD 5 level is sort of the entrance level for people with academic background, i.e. Bachelor or an equivalent 3 years of study and more. And I couldn’t believe my eyes. They offer a fancy € 3,900 basic salary for junior staff under the age of 27. That would still be at least net € 3,000. Now add to this figure expatriation allowances (16% of gross) and other benefits again. Really not so bad.

Brussel’s thinking must be that they want to attract the smartest people out there. Now I do realize that the kids who get these jobs are smart. They have gone through an extensive selection process and several assessment centres. But that’s crazy pay, even by private sector standards. I don’t think starting salaries for young people without work experience in their mid-20s should be that high. Besides, the job market really isn’t that rosy, so smart people would apply for EU jobs even at lower starting salaries.

For comparison, the mean net income in Germany in 2006 was at € 18,000. And the middle class income bracket in Germany is defined, according to the DIW, to be 70%-150% of the median net income (which is € 16,000), which means between € 1,000-2,200 monthly net income for a single-person household. That would mean that Brussels catapults twenty-something singles with a basic starting salary of € 3,900 right into the upper class.

Don't get me wrong, I'm in favor of upward mobility and that people should be remunerated richly for the work they do. But not at 25! Plus, public servants' salaries should match the overall income level in an economy. European middle classes aren't really as rich as assumed. I know a lot of educated people in their 30s and 40s in white-collar jobs, with tons of work-experience, who don't earn that kind of money. Middle classes across Europe don't earn that kind of money now.

I know this sounds very Marxist, but I think the salary structures in place in Brussels beg the question if we have a union of democratic countries ruled by an upper class? And the upper class seems to think it's alright. Dear Brussels, how about a reality-check?