WRITTEN QUESTION E-2778/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Failure to maintain current job levels at a subsidised plant owned by pasta-producer MISKO.
3. 7. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 187 E/1 I (Information) EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WRITTEN QUESTIONS WITH ANSWER (2001/C 187 E/001) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2778/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (18 January 2000) Subject: Failure to maintain current job levels at a subsidised plant owned by pasta-producer MISKO MISKO, the pasta-producing subsidiary of the Italian company Barilla, has received funding under Greek development law 1892/90 to set up a new production plant at Thiva on condition that it maintains the present number of 275 permanent jobs. Before completing construction of the new plant, the company closed down its pasta factory in Patras, compelling the current workforce either to resign or agree to being transferred to other company plants. However, the company has not informed those workers who agree to a transfer of the exact place or starting-date of their employment, the type of work, level of pay or the cost of relocating. It did not even inform them of where they would be employed after the closure of the Patras factory ü which occurred on 10 September 1999 ü until the new plant was opened at Thiva. Since the companyís decision to close down the Patras factory is in breach of the requirement to maintain the present number of jobs and was taken without prior consultation of the workers, which is expressly prescribed by Directive 94/45 (1), will the Commission say: 1. whether it will check that the company has complied with the condition of maintaining the present number of jobs in receiving subsidies for its new plant, and 2. whether it will examine whether there has been compliance with the provisions laid down in Directive 94/45 concerning the obligation to inform, consult and negotiate with the workers, and the participation of the MISKO workersí union in the European Works Council of Barilla, MISKOís parent company? (1) OJ L 254, 30. 9. 1994, p. 64. (2001/C 187 E/002) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2779/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission Subject: Assistance for MISKO company workers forced to relocate (18 January 2000) MISKO, the pasta-producing subsidiary of the Italian company Barilla, has received funding under Greek development law 1892/90 to set up a new production plant at Thiva on condition that it maintains the present number of 275 permanent jobs. Before completing construction of the new plant, the company