WRITTEN QUESTION No. 266/99 by Joan COLOM I NAVAL European social aid in Catalonia
12. 11. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 325/99 Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (25 March 1999) Commenting on the action of the members of the International Olympic Committee does not fall within the Community’s remit. The Commission has often expressed its respect for the autonomy of associations and does not, therefore, feel that it should intervene in this matter. (1999/C 325/133) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0266/99 by Joan Colom i Naval (PSE) to the Commission (17 February 1999) Subject: European social aid in Catalonia Could the Commission provide information on the aid received by the department for social welfare of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Spain) in the years 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (30 March 1999) The Commission is sending the information requested direct to the Honourable Member and to Parliament’s Secretariat. (1999/C 325/134) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0276/99 by Riccardo Nencini (PSE) to the Commission (17 February 1999) Subject: Borri Elettronica Industriale, a subsidiary of General Signal (USA) The company Borri Elettronica Industriale (Bibbiena-Arezzo-Italy), a subsidiary of General Signal (USA), has a long and outstanding tradition as an employer, having become one of the major firms in this sector (with 118 employees, of whom 60 % possess decrees and/or diplomas). This company is to be taken over any day now by SPX (USA) a company operating in the vehicle components and services sector. No guarantees have been given as regards maintaining jobs and making full use of the firm’s special potential. Will the Commission take the necessary steps to protect both the jobs and the skills base developed by Borri Elettronica Industriale over its many years of operation? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (10 March 1999) One of the priorities of European social policy is to ensure that workers are protected in the event of transfers of undertakings. Council Directive 77/187/EEC of 14 February 1977 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the safeguarding of employees’ rights in the event of transfers of undertakings, businesses or parts of businesses (1) is intended to protect employees during a change of head of undertaking, in particular to ensure that their rights are safeguarded. To that end, Article 3 of this Directive states that the rights and obligations arising for the transferor from a contract of employment or from an employment relationship are, by reason of such transfer, to be transferred to the transferee