Aga...Bis...
You are right and I am arguing apples and oranges...
In the USA this is not a big issue as it it addressed very well in most ALPA contracts...
However, I see your point very clearly now...2 crew a/c in Europe must have both pilots type rated, while in the US many F/O's flying B-747's and A-300's don't even hold an ATPL, nor are they required to...
It is a tough situation for you folks, but I would be very careful at this point, because as has been well discussed here on PPrune, a contract Captain, with hours on type is only a phone call away...Good luck to all of you...
PS-I won't be one of those contract guys, BTW...