WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2207/97 by Honório NOVO to the Commission. Relocation of the GIP (Grundig Industries Portugal) audio equipment factory in Braga
Date: 1997-06-13
Institutions: European Parliament, NOVO
Subjects: EU aid, EU programme, Hungary, Northern Portugal, Structural Funds, audiovisual industry, transfer of businesses

10. 2. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 45/117

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 June 1997)

The functions and duties of the Community reference laboratory for diseases of bivalve molluscs are described in
Annex B to Council Directive 95/70/EC introducing minimum Community measures for the control of certain
fish diseases affecting bivalve molluscs (1). These functions and duties are related to the diagnosis of diseases
affecting bivalve molluscs. These are based on histopathology and do not involve experiments with animals.

(1)  OJ L 332, 30.12.1995.

(98/C 45/148)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1876/97

by Hono·rio Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(30 May 1997)

Subject: Situation of GIP (Grundig-Indu·stria de Portugal) in Braga

A few days ago, in a development related to my earlier questions (P-3533/96 (1) and E-1414/97), to which full
answers have yet to be supplied, Grundig initiated the collective sacking of 114 workers, including every single
union  delegate  and  member  of  the  company(cid:146)s  representative  union  structures.  300  other  workers  had  their
contracts terminated by mutual agreement with the Grundig management.

The  management  of  this  transnational  company  suggested  that  the  workers  concerned  could  transfer  their
services to another company, Bosch, which was expected to (cid:145)take over(cid:146) the plant to be vacated by Grundig.

Can  the  Commission  state  whether  it  is  aware  of  any  intention  on  the  part  of  Bosch  to  set  up  in  Braga,  and
whether that company has applied for any Community cofinancing to aid it to start operations in the northern
Portuguese city concerned?

(1)  OJ C 83, 14.3.1997, p. 131.

(98/C 45/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2207/97

by Hono·rio Novo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 June 1997)

Subject: Relocation of the GIP (Grundig Industries Portugal) audio equipment factory in Braga

I am grateful for the Commission(cid:146)s reply (E-1414/97 (1)) of 27 May 1997 but I do not feel that it answers the
question I asked on 3 April 1997 concerning the possible relocation of the Grundig factory to Hungary.

There is indeed certain information to hand which indicates that Grundig intends to close down its factory in
Braga and to transfer part or all of its manufacturing capacity to Hungary or some other non-EU country. If this
occurs it will constitute a clear case of business relocation which will harm a disadvantaged region of Portugal
and jeopardize the social and economic cohesion of the EU. In view of this I am returning to the topic and would
like an answer to the following question.

If, under the current legislative and regulatory framework of the Structural Funds, Grundig were to submit an
application  for  investment  in  Hungary  or  any  other  country  that  is  not  an  EU  Member  State  in  respect  of
manufacturing  capacity  to  replace  that  currently  available  in  Braga,  would  the  Commission  support  such  an
application?

(1)  OJ C 373, 9.12.1997, p. 122.