WRITTEN QUESTION E-0341/98

by Nel van Dijk (V) to the Commission

(17 February 1998)

Subject: Equal opportunities in the internal market for gas and electricity

Now that the Council of Ministers has adopted guidelines for the internal market for gas and electricity there is concern that the internal market will be at the expense of employment in the sectors concerned.

Falling employment affects women in particular. According to Eurostat data, in 1993 19. 6% of employees in the sector were women, in 1994 the figure had fallen to 18. 9% and in 1995 it was 18. 6%.

Has the Commission examined the possible impact of the internal market in gas and electricity on employment in the sector, with particular reference to women?

Has it looked at the operation of the internal market in gas and electricity in the light of the policy proposals made in its communication "Incorporating equal opportunities for women and men into all Community policies and activities" (COM(96) 67 of 21 February 1996)?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(5 May 1998)

Under Directive 96/92/CE(1) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 December 1996 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity Member States have to liberalise during a first stage one quarter of their domestic electricity market. This figure will be increased progressively over a six year period. On 12 February 1998 the Council adopted a common position on a draft directive for the liberalisation of the natural gas sector. The common position provides for the progressive liberalisation of this sector over a ten year period. During the initial stage, Member States will be obliged to liberalise at least 20 % of their national market. The common position has been communicated to the Parliament for its second reading and it will then go to the Council for its final adoption, probably during the first half of 1998.

It is clear that the liberalisation of the electricity and gas sectors will bring about structural changes in these industries. These changes can have consequences for the ex-monopolies operating in these sectors, in particular with regard to employment.

The Commission is concerned by the effects of liberalisation on employment and is considering what actions might be taken on this issue. In this respect, the Commission considers that it is important to study the social effects of liberalisation in the electricity and gas sectors and, if and where possible, to take the necessary accompanying measures to mitigate these effects. Whilst a full picture regarding the employment effect of this process will necessarily need to take account of the employment enhancing effects of liberalisation - creating new jobs in energy intensive industries and with new entrants into the electricity sector - the Commission is determined to monitor the social effects of liberalisation in the electricity industry.

The Commission plans to launch a study on the effects of electricity and gas liberalisation on employment in the Community. The objective of the study will be to present, in qualitative and quantitative terms, the employment effects of the directives including the consequences for women employed in the sector. Furthermore, the Commission will examine the possibility of encouraging the adoption of accompanying measures and programmes to assist re-employment, including the reorientation of employees, and retraining and facilitating the cross-border exchange of information with regard to employment opportunities. The specific needs of women employees will be taken into account in this exercise.

(1) OJ L 27, 30.1.1997.