WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1557/98 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions
C 354/112 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 19. 11. 98 Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (19 June 1998) The Commission considers that Council Directive 76/207/EEC of 9 February 1976 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 refers only to employment relationships covered by a contract drawn up between the worker and his employer. Given that a candidature for election is not an employment relationship as described above, it does not fall within the scope of either Article 119 of the EC Treaty or Directive 76/207/EEC. The Commission agrees that Community legislation is not a legal impediment to national measures to improve the representation of women in elected bodies. Council Recommendation 96/694/EC of 2 December 1996 on the balanced participation of women and men in the decision-making process (1) recommends that Member States should adopt a comprehensive strategy to promote a balanced participation of women and men in the decision making process. (1) OJ L 319, 10. 12. 1996. (98/C 354/178) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1557/98 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (19 May 1998) Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions What plans does the Commission have to implement an action programme to increase the number of people from ethnic minorities working in the EU institutions? (98/C 354/179) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1558/98 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (19 May 1998) Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions What percentage of the staff of the EU institutions is of ethnic minority origin? (98/C 354/180) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1559/98 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (19 May 1998) Subject: Ethnic minorities and the European Institutions What plans does the Commission have to apply to ethnic minorities programmes similar to those it has implemented to overcome discrimination against women? Joint answer to Written Questions E-1557/98, E-1558/98 and E-1559/98 given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission (15 June 1998) All staff recruitment takes place in accordance with Article 27 of the Staff Regulations of Officials, which specifically states that recruitment must be on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of the Member States, without reference to race, political, ethical or religious belief, gender or sexual orientation, and irrespective of marital status or family situation. Consequently, the Commission has not needed to introduce positive action programmes to increase the number of people from ethnic minorities working in its departments