WRITTEN QUESTION P-0413/00 by Struan Stevenson (PPE-DE) to the Commission. French lorry drivers' industrial action.
C 280 E/212 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 3. 10. 2000 (2000/C 280 E/251) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0404/00 by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission Subject: Equal treatment for men and women (8 February 2000) According to the Eurostat report for 1999, it will be a long time before women at the European workplace obtain the same remuneration as men, conditions for Greek women being the least favourable among those of women in Europe. What measures will the Commission take to secure compliance with, and implementation of, the principle of equality and equal remuneration for men and women doing the same or equivalent jobs in all Member States, particularly in Greece? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (1 March 2000) The principle of equal pay for male and female workers for the same work or work of equal value has been laid down in Community law since the Treaty of Rome (Article 141 (ex-Article 119) of the EC Treaty). It was also the subject of a specific directive, Council Directive 75/117/EEC of 10 February 1975 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the application of the principle of equal pay for men and women (1), which was transposed in all the Member States, including Greece. These various provisions resulted in an extensive case law of the Court of Justice, which gave a very wide interpretation of the concept of ápayí. Despite these provisions and case law it is well known, as the Honourable Member emphasised, that pay inequalities between men and women are still considerable. That is why the Commission adopted a Code of Conduct in 1996 with the aim of improving conditions in order to ensure equal pay. This Code is meant to be instrumental in promoting the principle of equal pay in practice. The Commission would also point out that the Court has recognised for quite some time that Article 141 of the EC Treaty has direct effect, enabling any female worker who considers herself to be a victim of discrimination to refer to this article before a national court. Consequently, as a result of the current problems, and taking into consideration all the juridical guarantees already afforded by Community law, the Commission does not envisage at present any other legislative initiatives with regard to the principle of equal pay. The Commission would, however, once again like to point out to the Honourable Member that since 1999 the objective to reduce pay inequalities between men and women has been an integral part of the guidelines for the Member Statesí employment policies. Within this context, the latter have undertaken to adopt measures aimed at promoting equal pay for men and women. (1) OJ L 45, 19. 2. 1975. (2000/C 280 E/252) WRITTEN QUESTION P-0413/00 by Struan Stevenson (PPE-DE) to the Commission (9 February 2000) Subject: French lorry driversí industrial action Industrial action by French lorry drivers is severely threatening Scottish fishermen, as the goods need to reach their market in fresh condition, preferably within hours of being caught. Once again, however, the French Government seems to sit idly by while the British rural community suffers. 3. 10. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 280 E/213 Would the Commission consider action against the French Government for tolerating what has been going on for months now and is clearly a hindrance to the functioning of the single market, is a breach of competition rules and could be considered as blatant protectionism? Answer by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission (2 March 2000) The Honourable Member has drawn the Commissionís attention to the serious economic impact on Community businesses of the border blockades by French lorry drivers, particularly during the last few weeks. The Commission would like to stress that under Community law it is the responsibility of the Member States to take all necessary and proportionate measures to restore the free movement of goods in their territory when events of this nature take place. With regard to the measures the Commission is entitled to take, the Commission would refer the Honourable Member to Council Regulation (EC) No 2679/98 of 7 December 1998 on the functioning of the internal market in relation to the free movement of goods among the Member States (1), which allows the Commission to take rapid action in this type of situation. This action can, initially, take the form of a request for information sent to the Member State on whose territory the obstacles occur. Indeed, the Commission used this option when hauliers took action on 10-11 January 2000 and from 31 January 2000 to 1 February 2000. On each occasion, the Commission received information from the French authorities on the state of the dispute and on the measures taken to avoid blockades within the given time limit of two days. Subsequent Commission action can take the form of a notification requesting the Member State to take all necessary and proportionate measures to restore the free movement of goods within a given time limit. The Commission has not yet made use of this second option. During the recent disputes, it was not needed because the border blockades were lifted. However, the Commission reserves the right to use this option whenever warranted by the situation. The Commission would like to stress that it would not take any action other than that provided for by Regulation (EC) No 2679/98, since it is not within its remit to intermediate in any social problems within the Member States which might result in action of the type causing the obstacles to which the Honourable Member refers. (1) OJ L 337, 12. 12. 1998. (2000/C 280 E/253) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0433/00 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission (23 February 2000) Subject: Prevention of damage to the muscles and bone structure of school-age children In Italy, there is increasing concern on the part of parents of children of compulsory school age with regard to the weight of the school-bags used to carry books to and from school. Regional and local health authorities have circulated scientific findings and practical advice to help avoid the risks associated with carrying excessively heavy school-bags. In view of the foregoing: 1. Do studies and analyses of this problem exist at Community level? 2. Do standards based on scientific and technical information exist in the other Member States?