This petition is directed to the executive director of Frontex:

Cultural mediators are an essential part of organizations like Frontex. We are the key in communication because we offer translation and interpretation between the applicants and the Frontex officers. Even though our role is on the background, we want to be seen as essential partners and treated with appreciation. By the current offer from SeproTec, we feel like we are seen as objects and an opportunity for agencies to make money based on our profession. We request good working conditions and a fair salary to be able to work for Frontex. 

The salary offered by SeproTec/CIES, as a result of the Tender they recently won, varies. Since contracts are given for 1-2 months, monthly costs in country of deployment are higher than usual. Meaning that this salary won’t be sufficient to cover costs such as accommodation and transportation, let alone other expenses such as taxes, insurances, monthly costs in our residential country, etc. 

The working conditions for Frontex are challenging, 24-7 availability is requested. In daily life, this means cultural mediators are not allowed to be more than 30 minutes away from work base and have to be on standby day and night. We understand the request, since the arrival of applicants can’t be planned. When we agree on this condition, we expect that we will get paid according to these circumstances. The salary that has been offered comes down to less than 2,50 euro per hour, considering the 24/7 workweek. Also, currently our schedule is adjusted afterwards if we work hours outside our schedule to reduce working hours on paper. 

SeproTec/CIES offers different salaries to cultural mediators, for the same position in the same country. They also mention in their emails that salaries can vary. This means there is financial space to increase salaries.

- We request payment of the 24/7 hours according to the European regulations of minimum wages, since we need to be on standby day and night.

- We request a reasonable salary per month plus the expenses for accommodation, transportation and flights. 

With this petition we aim to find solutions for all parties involved. We ask you for collaboration based on mutual respect. We are motivated to continue serving applicants alongside the Frontex teams. Together we can.