WRITTEN QUESTION E-1111/97 by Giuseppe Rauti (NI) to the Commission (24 March 1997)

Subject: Establishment of a European employment agency

In view of widespread unemployment in Europe, with peaks of almost three million jobless in Italy, would it not be advisable to take special measures to tackle this enormous social problem, which the author of this question believes can no longer be solved in the context of individual national policies? The work being carried out by the Standing Committee on Employment, set up by Council Decision in 1970 and due to be reorganized in the context of the Intergovernmental Conference, has proved unsuitable to tackle an emergency which according to a German weekly (Bild am Sonntag) has led to an unemployment rate of 12.5% in Germany.

In view of this situation it might be appropriate to set up a European employment agency, with special powers to act, especially in areas with a severe employment crisis such as Southern Italy. The main purpose of the agency would be to rationalize the procedures for granting Community aid, with particular reference to socially useful work (reafforestation, safeguarding the artistic heritage and the environment, social assistance to the elderly, etc.) These procedures are the measures envisaged by the Social Fund in connection with objectives eligible for funding which, in the case of Italy, are falling way below expectations. The role of the agency would also be to coordinate Community intervention whilst monitoring employment levels in the countries of the Union and

putting pressure on national governments to consider the employment issue as the real 'European emergency' of the coming years. Unless this problem is solved no realistic project for political and economic union can continue to be conceivable, since it would be absurd for there to be a Europe of banks (and bankers) and a European currency (and financiers), whilst the people of Europe are overwhelmed by a social crisis.

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (28 April 1997)

Employment policy and action to combat unemployment are matters of priority for the Community as a whole, but responsibility for combating unemployment lies primarily with the Member States. At the same time, within the limits of the existing acquis communautaire and in line with the recommendations and instructions of the Council, the Community gives its full support to the measures taken in this connection by the Member States.

The Essen European Council in December 1994 adopted a series of recommendations - endorsed by successive European Councils - for the development and implementation of an integrated strategy to combat unemployment and to promote unemployment.

In pursuance of this strategy, the Member States have adopted and undertaken to implement multiannual employment programmes at national level.

The European Council has also instructed the Commission to monitor, in collaboration with the Member States, the implementation of these programmes and to provide the European Council with a joint report on developments.

No provision has been made for setting up a European employment agency; in any case, it could not be given the necessary powers, in the light of the Treaty, to implement supranational measures to combat unemployment.