WRITTEN QUESTION E-2362/99 by Stephen Hughes (PSE) to the Commission. Criminal record disclosure of job applicants.
C 219 E/150 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 1. 8. 2000 Since all Member States received this report, which is also available on the Internet, appropriate to transmit again the same information through the rapid alert system for food. it is no longer (2000/C 219 E/190) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2362/99 by Stephen Hughes (PSE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Criminal record disclosure of job applicants 1. Research cited by the European Offender Employment Forum reveals wide variations between different EU countries in the regulations for disclosure of past criminal record information to potential employers. Has the Commission made any assessment of the impact of these variations on either the free movement of labour within the EU or the employment prospects of ex-offenders? 2. The European Offender Employment Forum estimates that half a million people leave prisons in the EU every year and that many face acute problems in reintegrating back into the labour market. What measures is the Commission taking to support training and employment initiatives for ex-offenders and to tackle discrimination against them in employment? Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission (18 January 2000) The variations between different Member Statesí regulations on disclosure of past criminal record information to potential employers have such an indirect link with the free movement of labour that the Commission considers that these variations are not of particular relevance to the right to free movement. Within the European employment strategy, ex-offendersí particular difficulties in acquiring relevant skills and in gaining access to the labour market are under guideline 9. This guideline recommends Member States to give special attention to the needs of the disabled, ethnic minorities and other groups and individuals who may be disadvantaged, and to develop appropriate forms of preventive and active policies to promote their integration into the labour market. Furthermore, social and economic re-integration of ex-offenders might also be covered by the incentive measures mentioned in Article 137 (ex Article 118) of the EC Treaty and designed to encourage co- operation between Member States through initiatives aimed at improving knowledge, developing exchanges of information and best practice and promoting innovative approaches. The Commission is currently preparing a draft programme on the basis of this article. (2000/C 219 E/191) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2366/99 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Commission (13 December 1999) Subject: Commission reports on veterinary missions carried out in France and Greece On 23 February 1999, the Commission published a Mission Report on a veterinary mission to Greece. The Report revealed serious breaches in Greece of Council Directive 91/628/EEC (1) on the protection of animals during transport. The Report also pointed out that route plans for Spanish and Dutch sheep and French cattle, all destined for Greece, were missing or not correctly filled in in the Member States of origin