WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2214/98 by Brian SIMPSON to the Commission. Joint Committee on Post and Telecommunications
C 96/44 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 4. 1999 (1999/C 96/062) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2214/98 by Brian Simpson (PSE) to the Commission (16 July 1998) Subject: Joint Committee on Post and Telecommunications Will the Commissioner for Social Affairs indicate why he feels the present Joint Committee should be replaced by an inferior arrangement in which postal and telecom workers will lose out and is he willing to meet with Communications International as a matter of urgency to discuss this whole issue? Joint answer to Written Questions E-2137/98 and E-2214/98 given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (13 October 1998) In its communication on adapting and promoting the social dialogue at European level (1) adopted on 20 May 1998, the Commission emphasises the importance of sectoral dialogue and points out that this is a key area for future social dialogue at European level. The Commission is also convinced that in order for sectoral dialogue to continue its positive development and to develop the process in as many sectors as possible it is necessary to modernise the existing structures and to provide balanced support for the parties. The Communication therefore adopted a decision, in parallel with the communication, creating new sectoral committees. The decision seeks to promote social dialogue in a much greater number of sectors, without discrimination in terms of resources or status, and without dictating a specific form of dialogue which may not be appropriate to one or other sector. Apart from giving increased flexibility and autonomy to the social partners, the only significant change compared to the current arrangements for the post and telecommunications sectors is in relation to the number of participants. As the reimbursement of travel expenses is by far the largest element of expenditure, their restriction to a maximum of 30 reimbursed participants each meeting will ensure that the greatest number of sectors overall are able to benefit from the available limited resources. This will allow for one representative per Member State on each side, and will encourage the development of European level co-ordination, which is a precondition for participation in and a qualitative output from European social dialogue. These arrangements aim to give the social partners in each sector, not least in the post and telecommunications sectors, the opportunity to deepen their dialogue and contribute more actively at European level. This will ensure, firstly, that the interests of a large number of social partner organisations and sectors are taken into account, and, secondly, that the resources available are used to develop a quality social dialogue in as many sectors as possible. The Commission has acknowledged the important contribution made by the post and telecommunications joint committees and is convinced that the new structures will help and not hinder the social dialogue in these sectors. The Commission has responded directly to the social partners including Communications International, to explain its views as stated above. (1) COM(98) 322 final. (1999/C 96/063) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2141/98 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Council (14 July 1998) Subject: International Criminal Court Will the Council lend its support to moves to define as a war crime the recruiting and use of children below the age of 15 as soldiers in the current negotiations to establish a permanent International Criminal Court?