WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3141/97 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of GDP
C 102/166 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 3. 4. 98 (98/C 102/249) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3140/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (30 September 1997) Subject: Infringement of the right to equal treatment between men and women On 25 July 1997, the Labour Bank in Greece announced (circular SKY:308) a competition for the recruitment of staff. The circular states that áonly male graduatesí are eligible, which is a flagrant violation of the principle of equal treatment of men and women, Community legislation as laid down in Directives 76/207/EEC (1) and 86/613/EEC (2) and Court of Justice case-law. What measures will the Commission take to ensure that the circular in question is withdrawn? Does it intend to investigate the bankís recruitment and equal pay policies? Is the Labour Bank involved in Community programmes and, in particular, in Social Fund education and training programmes for its staff? (1) OJ L 39, 14. 2. 1976, p. 40. (2) OJ L 359, 19. 12. 1986, p. 56. Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (9 October 1997) The situation described by the Honourable Member is known to the Commission, which has already contacted the Greek authorities to draw their attention to the discriminatory content of the circular in question. However, it should be pointed out that, even if a violation were established, it would concern a private enterprise and would therefore not warrant direct action by the Commission. This is because, while it is certainly possible for Community law to be violated by Member States or private persons (individuals or enterprises), it is only when a Member State violates Community law that the Commission may take steps to make it fulfil its Community obligations by instituting the infringement proceedings provided for in Article 169 of the EC Treaty. On the other hand, anyone who feels wronged by this discrimination may take legal action to assert the rights granted to him by Community law, in this case Directive 76/207/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women as regards access to employment, vocational training and promotion, and working conditions. (98/C 102/250) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3141/97 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (13 October 1997) Subject: Taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of GDP The Eurostat report on taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of GDP for 1996 in the EU Member States, published in EUROPE No 7049 of 3 September 1997, does not include any statistics for Greece and Portugal. Were Greece and Portugal in fact included in the survey and, if not, what information does the Commission have concerning taxes and social security contributions as a percentage of GDP in these two countries? Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission (3 November 1997) The report mentioned by Europe No 7049 of 3 September 1997 is Statistics in Focus, Economy and Finance, No 28/1997, Taxes and Social Contributions in the European Union › First results for 1996í. The report contains figures on taxes and social contributions in percent of gross domestic product (GDP) since 1980 for all Member States, and analyses particularly the first provisional results for 1996. Figures published in the report are based on preliminary data from the Member Statesí statistical offices