WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3796/97 by José GARCÍA-MARGALLO Y MARFIL to the Commission. French road blockades: current initiatives for social legislation
Date: 1997-11-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, civil liability proceedings, damage, free movement of goods, indemnification, labour dispute, legal system, road transport, social dialogue, strike

16. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187/57

Hitherto, the French authorities have not intervened to put an end to any of the blockades carried out by French
lorry drivers, which are regularly accompanied by violent attacks on lorries transporting fruit and vegetables
from Spain. But they did promise that they would in any case pay damages to those affected.

Despite this promise, only 737 (26.8%) of the 2 749 British, Spanish, German Portuguese and Belgian claims
submitted since last September have been processed, and only 124 of them accepted (4.51%). Of the 500 claims
made in the French courts by Spanish citizens, only 1 has been accepted.

Does the Commission intend to take any steps to ensure that the French authorities provide effective and rapid
compensation to those who have suffered losses?

(98/C 187/90)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3796/97

by Jose· Garc(cid:14)·a-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(26 November 1997)

Subject: French road blockades: current initiatives for social legislation

The road blockades set up by French lorry drivers are starting to turn into a regular event, which contravenes the
Community rules on competition by preventing the freedom of movement of goods within the European Union.
The  damage  done  to  intra-European  trade  is  very  considerable,  and  has  led  to  protests  from  Spain,  the  UK,
Germany and the Netherlands. In concrete terms, Spanish hauliers(cid:146) organizations calculate that every day of the
blockade cost Spanish road-haulage undertakings over PTA 2 500 million.

During the strike begun by French lorry drivers on 3 November 1997, various countries requested the French
Government to take effective action to guarantee the free market, by setting up corridors for lorries to cross the
country.  The  French  Government,  referring  to  the  lack  of  European  harmonization  in  the  field  of  social
legislation, refused.

What stage have the legislative initiatives in the social field, which would prevent obstacles to the freedom of
persons or goods, currently reached?

(98/C 187/91)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3797/97

by Jose· Garc(cid:14)·a-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(26 November 1997)

Subject: French road blockades: a gap in social legislation

The road blockades set up by French lorry drivers are starting to turn into a regular event, which contravenes the
Community rules on competition by preventing the freedom of movement of goods within the European Union.
The  damage  done  to  intra-European  trade  is  very  considerable,  and  has  led  to  protests  from  Spain,  the  UK,
Germany and the Netherlands. In concrete terms, Spanish hauliers(cid:146) organizations calculate that every day of the
blockade cost Spanish road-haulage undertakings over PTA 2 500 million.

During the strike begun by French lorry drivers on 3 November 1997, various countries requested the French
Government to take effective action to guarantee the free market, by setting up corridors for lorries to cross the
country.  The  French  Government,  referring  to  the  lack  of  European  harmonization  in  the  field  of  social
legislation, refused.

Is there really a legal vacuum in the social field which could constitute an obstacle to the goals of the European
Union?

(98/C 187/92)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3798/97

by Jose· Garc(cid:14)·a-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(26 November 1997)

Subject: French road blockades: measures against the French Government

The road blockades set up by French lorry drivers are starting to turn into a regular event, which contravenes the
Community  rules  on  competition  by  preventing  the  freedom  of  movement  of  goods  within  the  European