WRITTEN QUESTION E-1167/97 by Ludivina García Arias (PSE) to the Commission (3 April 1997)

Subject: Industrial competitiveness for the European chemical, maritime and automobile industries

At the February 1997 part-session, the Commission's communications on industrial competitiveness for Europe's chemical, maritime and automobile industries were adopted, which continue the excellent thrust of Commission industrial policy.

The deepening of the single market and the on-going process of globalization mean that we will increasingly be faced with constant industrial change and readaptation.

How much sectoral consultation of European trade unions currently takes place on these subjects? Does the Commission intend to provide for a permanent mechanism for sectoral trade union consultation on these programmes, and on industrial issues linked with these policies in general?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (30 May 1997)

The European trade unions are regularly consulted by the Commission in the framework of the social dialogue which takes place on a cross-industry as well as on a sectoral level. In this context, questions related to the single market and to globalisation, and their effect on industrial change and adaptation are discussed as well.

On 18 September 1996, the Commission published its communication concerning the development of the social dialogue at Community level ((COM(96) 448. )). Chapter B deals with the sectoral social dialogue, describes its present organisation in joint committees and informal working parties, and discusses the perspectives for further development.

The Honourable Member mentions three sectors. In the automotive industry, as in most industrial sectors, good performance and competitiveness are often linked with good relations between trade unions and employers. This is particularly true in the automotive sector where in order to review the impact of the range of European policies as they affect the automobile industry, the Commission created a permanent high-level group where representatives of car manufacturers, suppliers, user groups, social partners, the Parliament and the Commission will be represented. The first meeting of this high-level group is foreseen for the 24 June 1997.

In the maritime industry, in addition to the joint committee on maritime transport established at Community level, European trade unions are represented also in the yearly maritime industry forum (MIF) bringing together the marine industries, a gathering of the main actors of this industry. In 1994 an interpanel on human resources was created. It participates at the highest level of the forum (high level panel). Through this mechanism of consultation, the opinions and recommendations of the trade unions are brought to the attention of the Commission.

As for the chemical industry, during the discussions following the communication 'An industrial competitiveness policy for the European chemical industry: an example' ((COM(96) 187 final. )), the Commission expressed its desire to be able to count on the active co-operation of employees' representatives for the follow-up of this communication. As a result, representatives of the European-level trade unions of the mining, chemical and energy sectors have began to participate in some working groups to develop concrete actions to improve the competitiveness of the European chemical industry. They also participated in the forum on the competitiveness of the European chemical industry, organised by the Commission in Brussels on 15 April 1997.

The Commission will ensure the involvement of trade union representatives as well as of other concerned parties to identify and implement future actions that could contribute to improve the competitiveness of the chemical sector and of industry as a whole. This co-operation is an established fact and forms part of wider annual contacts with employees' representatives to discuss all questions concerning the chemical industry, as for example has been the case in the potassium industry.