B4-1496, 1519, 1539, 1549 and 1561/95

Resolution on the application of social clauses within the framework of the multiannual programme for generalized tariff preferences inter alia with regard to Pakistan and Myanmar (Burma)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Regulation (EC) No 3281/94 of 19 December 1994 applying a four-year scheme of generalized tariff preferences (1995-1998) in respect of certain industrial products originating in developing countries ((OJ L 348, 31.12.1994, p. 1.));

- having regard to its resolution of 9 February 1994 on the introduction of a social clause in the unilateral and multilateral trading system ((OJ C 61, 28.2.1994, p. 89.)) and on respect for human rights and the economic exploitation of prisoners and children worldwide ((OJ C 61, 28.2.1994, p. 106.)),

- having regard to its resolution of 18 November 1994 on the Commission communication to the Council and the European Parliament on the integration of developing countries in the international trading system - role of the GSP 1995 - 2004 ((OJ C 341, 5.12.1994, p. 243.)),

- having regard to ILO Convention 29 on forced labour and ILO Convention 105 on the abolition of forced labour,

- having regard to its numerous resolutions calling for the incorporation of social clauses into international trade agreements,

A. whereas Articles 8 and 9 of Regulation (EC) No 3281/94 provide for a total or partial withdrawal of tariff preferences where trade partners fail to respect the conventions on the abolition of forced labour,

B. whereas the European Trade Union Confederation's committee on textiles, clothing and leather and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions have initiated proceedings with the Commission against Pakistan and Myanmar for non-compliance with the ILO conventions,

C. concerned at reports of the large number of children carrying out forced labour in Pakistan; whereas in the world there are some 200 million children between the ages of 5 and 16 employed in activities which put their health and lives at risk,

D. recalling that Article 32 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes 'the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development',

E. whereas the Government of Myanmar is forcing local people to work on building infrastructure for tourism and military and civilian purposes,

F. whereas it is not enough to sign the ILO conventions: they must also be enforced,

G. whereas the Commission will shortly have to take a decision on this matter after consulting a special group made up of representatives of the Member States,

H. whereas it agreed to grant additional advantages to countries that safeguard the fundamental rights of workers,

I. whereas it considered it right to suspend preferences in cases where there is insufficient respect for these social rights,

1. Calls on the Commission to clarify the procedures that apply to complaints concerning the violation of ILO conventions;

2. Asks the Commission to report to Parliament on the use of positive or negative social policy incentives under the GSTP;

3. Asks to be notified, as soon as a complaint has been lodged, of the substance of the complaint and the action taken on the complaint during the various stages of the procedure; further requests that there should be a strict timetable for the various stages so that proceedings never take longer than 18 months;

4. Calls on the Commission to proceed immediately to the second stage of the proceedings against Pakistan and Myanmar, in particular the opening of a formal inquiry into the substance of the complaint and asks for this to be included in the Official Journal of the European Communities, in accordance with the procedure; calls on the Council to take the measures required in the light of the findings of the inquiry;

5. Calls on the Commission and Council to do their utmost to ensure that social clauses are included in the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO);

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments of the Member States, the ILO and WHO and the governments of Pakistan and Myanmar.