WRITTEN QUESTION No. 839/98 by Ernesto CACCAVALE to the Commission. Systematic use of seasonal contracts by southern Italian motorway building firms
Date: 1998-03-26
Institutions: CACCAVALE, European Parliament
Subjects: EU financing, European Regional Development Fund, fight against unemployment, motorway, recruitment, seasonal employment, transport infrastructure, work contract

C 386/50

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.98

(98/C 386/067)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0839/98

by Ernesto Caccavale (UPE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Systematic use of seasonal contracts by southern Italian motorway building firms

For the past ten years or more, southern Italian motorway building firms have continued to recruit workers under
seasonal contracts. Although there are still staff shortages in some sectors, the number of (cid:145)casual labourers(cid:146) has
risen above four hundred. Since 1992, while they have been awaiting a final contract, they have continued to work
for just three months a year without the benefit of social security contributions, incentives, or settlement at the
end of each quarter. Moreover, because they have spent too long waiting for a proper contract, many of them have
reached an age at which they have no prospect whatsoever of finding a job in any of the normal ways.

The firms in question resort to such practices even though they have obtained and are still receiving the
Community funding provided for under European Regional Development Fund programmes to finance the
expansion, reorganization, and modernization of motorway networks. It follows that such funding should enable
the firms to recruit employees under permanent contracts and, at any rate, curb the policy of seasonal recruitment.

Can the Commission check whether the firms concerned are entitled to hire workers on a seasonal basis when
they are benefiting from the plethora of money and advantages designed to combat southern Italy(cid:146)s endemic
unemployment?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 1998)

This is not a matter for the Commission. The structural funds regulations contain no specific requirements in
respect of the type of contract used to employ those engaged on the construction or management of infrastructure
projects cofinanced by the funds.

(98/C 386/068)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0868/98

by Ursula Stenzel (PPE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: Alpine transit

The Commission would like to submit a proposal for the harmonization of the prohibitions relating to the use of
heavy goods vehicles at weekends and on public holidays. Only eight Member States have restrictions on the use
of HGVs, which differ, Austria having the strictest legislation. This regulation will therefore have far-reaching
implications.

Does the Commission see any way of retaining the prohibition of the use of HGVs on Saturdays, which is so
important for Austria, and if not, in what circumstances might there be exceptions?

Austria has most public holidays in the EU, and a numerical ceiling would have lasting implications for Austria.
Can the Commission say whether there are plans to take account of the large number of Austrian public holidays,
and what form might this take in practice?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 1998)

The Honourable Member refers to a recent Commission proposal for a directive to harmonise rules governing
driving bans on heavy goods vehicles (1).