LETTER: MEP employers

From Mr Neil Ash

Sir: Carole Tongue MEP is right to criticise major UK employers in being negative about European employment reform, including maternity leave, (letter, 20 November). However, one can add that the employment practices of some MEPs themselves sometimes leave much to be desired even to meet the lower standards of British employment law.

That is why there is a need to give all assistants to MEPs proper contracts, sick pay, maternity and paternity leave, and other terms. Sadly, problems do occur in every political party. Only "loyalty to the party" prevents matters reaching the public domain frequently.

I hope that Carole and other sponsored MEPs will give full support to the plea for common and fair conditions of employment for political assistants.

Yours sincerely,

Neil Ash

Brussels

20 November