WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Pension rights for the elderly long-term unemployed
Date: 1998-01-29
Institutions: ALAVANOS, European Parliament
Subjects: Greece, competence of the Member States, equal treatment, long-term unemployment, pension scheme, retirement conditions, social security, social-security contribution, unemployed person

17. 7. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 223/79

(98/C 223/97)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0003/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 January 1998)

Subject: Pension rights for the elderly long-term unemployed

According to the National Statistical Office of Greece, long-term unemployment has soared and accounts for
more than 50% of the unemployed. One particular category of the long-term unemployed is elderly people who
have already reached pensionable age but do not have the required number of years of contributions to retire
under Greek law and remain unemployed.

1.  Are there favourable provisions applying to such cases under the laws of the member States?

If so, in which States?

2. 

Is it not fair to claim a pension from the contributions paid into the social security fund?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(13 March 1998)

With regard to the matter raised by the Honourable Member, the Commission wishes to point out that, as far as
the organisation and operation of social protection schemes is concerned, the Member States are free to lay down
their own rules, subject to compliance with the Community legislation relating to equal treatment for men and
women: Article 119 of the EC Treaty, Directive 79/7/EEC (1) and Council Directive 96/97/EC of 20 December
1996 amending Directive 86/378/EEC on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and
women  in  occupational  social  security  schemes (2);  the  rules  governing  social  security  for  migrant  workers
(Council  Regulations  1408/71  and  574/72  of  21  March  1972  laying  down  the  procedure  for  implementing
Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and to members
of their families moving within the Community (3), as amended) also apply.

The  competent  authorities  of  the  Member  States  have  sole  responsibility  for  matters  such  as  the  payment  of
benefits to unemployed persons who have reached pensionable age or claims made on the basis of contributions
paid into a pension fund.

The Commission does not have any information on favourable provisions applying in certain Member States as
regards unemployed persons who have reached the statutory pensionable age.

(1)  OJ L 6, 10.1.1979.
(2)  OJ L 46, 17.2.1997.
(3)  OJ L 74, 27.3.1972.

(98/C 223/98)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0004/98

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 January 1998)

Subject: Waste batteries

On 19.12.1997, the Commission announced its decision to take action against Greece in the European Court of
Justice  for  failure  to  implement  Directive  91/157/EEC (1)  on  batteries  and  accumulators  containing  certain
dangerous substances.

1.  Does the Commission have information on how such waste is disposed of in Greece?

2.  What are the legal arguments against Greece?

3.  Given  that  the  Member  States  were  to  submit  their  programmes  by  September  1992,  why  has  the

Commission initiated proceedings after five years?

(1)  OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, p. 38.