Summary: Rina Ronja Kari (left) is the latest MEP attempting to compel the Commission to actually do something about the EPO other than turning a blind eye
IT IS not often that European politicians decide to bring up EPO abuses. It happens only a few times a year. But a politician from Copenhagen (same as Kongstad), a young politician (since age 29) called Rina Ronja Kari (who is "a member of the People's Movement against the EU," according to Wikipedia) has brought up the latest USF letter in the following question:
Parliamentary questions 5 March 2018 P-001379-18 Question for written answer to the Commission Rule 130 Rina Ronja Kari (GUE/NGL)
Subject: Working conditions at the European Patent Office
Working conditions at the European Patent Office (EPO) have been the subject of persistent criticism for years now. The trade union federation USF recently sent a letter to all 38 of the EPO’s delegations. In the letter, the USF’s chair, Dr Bernd Loescher, describes the situation at the EPO as ‘extreme’(1).
1. What are the Commission’s views on the criticism that has been raised about working conditions at the EPO?
2. How is the Commission planning to follow up on the criticism about working conditions at the EPO? ______ (1) http://www.unionsyndicale.eu/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/scan_loescbe_2018-02-28-16-33-21.pdf