WRITTEN QUESTION E-0196/03

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

(31 January 2003)

Subject: Child labour in the production of sports equipment

On 13 June 2002, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on child labour in the production of sports equipment.

In that resolution, the Commission was asked to report back to Parliament by the end of 2002 on the steps and measures that it had taken on the basis of that resolution.

To date, Parliament has not received a report of that nature.

1. When may Parliament expect a Commission report on this topic?

2. Has the Commission taken any steps or measures? If so, what has it done? If not, why not?

3. Is the Commission prepared, in conjunction with ICFTU, to take the initiative and organise a round-table debate with FIFA?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2003)

The Commission shares the concerns expressed about the use of child labour in the production of sports equipment. It condemns all forms of child exploitation as well as the worst forms of child labour. It supports the calls on the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) and the sporting goods companies to make sure that no children are employed in the production of FIFA-licensed sportswear and footballs.

The Commission welcomes the recent alliance between FIFA and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to combat jointly child labour under the banner of the ILO's existing Red Card to Child Labour.

The Community is committed to applying the ILO Core Labour Standards. The Commission has confirmed this by the adoption on 18 July 2001 of a Communication on the promotion of core labour standards and social governance in the framework of globalisation(1). The Parliament has supported the strategy proposed in the Communication. Discussion of this Communication in the Council has not yet been concluded.

The Commission has strengthened recently its co-operation with the ILO to cover the world-wide promotion of core labour standards including the fight against child labour, the promotion of decent work including poverty eradication and the promotion of the social dimension of globalisation. To that end the ILO and the Commission signed an exchange of letters on 14 May 2001(2). Annual high level meetings between the Commission and ILO are organising the follow-up.

The Commission is also contributing to the work of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation, established by the ILO. The Commission organised a high level seminar with the World Commission on 3 and 4 February 2003, with the involvement of all European stakeholders including European social partners, other actors of civil society, the Parliament, Member States and Candidate Countries.

The Community has also agreed to promote the application of core labour standards in the framework of bilateral and multilateral agreements with developing countries. A good example is Article 50 of the Cotonou Agreement; in this article, the Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP) have reaffirmed their commitments to the ILO Core Labour Standards including the fight against the worst forms of child labour.

The Community Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) provides also an incentive mechanism for the application of core labour standards.

In addition, the Commission supports Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines for multinational enterprises which make clear that enterprises should, within the framework of applicable law, regulations and prevailing labour relations and employment practices contribute to the effective abolition of child labour.

The Commission is promoting the international dimension of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Communication on CSR: a business contribution to sustainable development was adopted on 2 July 2002 and includes also the respect of core labour standards. Representatives of business, social partners, civil society and other stakeholders are involved in the CSR stakeholder forum, which was established by the Commission in 2002. The international dimension is also on the agenda of the forum. The issue of child labour in the production of sport equipment is a relevant issue for discussion. The Commission has co-funded (budget B3-4000) a project of the European textile retail sector which aims at promoting the promotion of core labour standards.

The Commission is also ready to support non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which work with local partners for the elimination of child labour. It has already financed several initiatives to combat child labour, especially in Africa.

The Commission reported to Council and Parliament on the work done to combat child labour and exploitation in its report on European Community Development Co-operation in 2001. It feels that a specific report on child labour in the production of sports equipment would not be appropriate.

The Commission considers that assistance for and protection of vulnerable children should also be seen in the wider context of poverty eradication, therefore, in the framework of the Community's development co-operation. Children are an important focal group of the Community's external aid, in particular in sectoral policies such as education and health.

The Community is increasing its support to universal and compulsory primary education in all developing countries as part of its commitments to the education for all framework and the millennium development goals on education and gender equality. It sees this as one of the most efficient means currently at its disposal to draw children out of the vicious circle of exploitation.

(1) COM(2001) 416 final.

(2) OJ C 165, 8.6.2001.