WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2034/98 by Marie-Noëlle LIENEMANN to the Commission. Reduction in working time
Date: 1998-07-07
Institutions: European Parliament, LIENEMANN
Subjects: EU Member State, European Commission, competence of the Member States, competitiveness, economic consequence, economic policy, principle of subsidiarity, reduction of working time

C 96/26

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

8.4.1999

(1999/C 96/035)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2034/98

by Marie-Noºlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Reduction in working time

(7 July 1998)

How is it possible for the Commission to recommend in its document COM(98) 279 on the broad guidelines of
the economic policies of the Member States and the Community that (cid:145)a compulsory and across-the-board
reduction in working time ..(..).. may have adverse consequences and should therefore be avoided(cid:146) when it knows
that two Member States have already decided to introduce a 35-hour working week?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 1998)

The Commission has no intention of interfering in the policies of the Member States where these are purely a
matter of national competence. It intends to abide by the principle of subsidiarity.

However, the Commission is the guardian of the Community interest, including as regards economic policy. The
European Council and the Ecofin Council have called on it to secure greater coordination of economic policies so
as to guarantee the success of the single currency and a significant increase in employment in the Community. It
was with this aim in mind that the Commission drew up its 1998 recommendation on the broad guidelines of
economic policy.

The Commission is therefore entitled to issue independent opinions on any economic policy initiatives which
may have a marked effect on the Community economy as a whole or on the achievement of the objectives
assigned to economic policy by Article 2 of the EC Treaty. A reduction in working time falls into that category. It
is only natural therefore that the Commission should express its views on the matter, while abiding by the
principle of subsidiarity.

The Commission takes the view that the reduction in working time must not adversely affect the competitiveness
of European firms. However, it is true that this general principle is not incompatible with national initiatives
which adapt the reduction in working time with the aim of maintaining European competitiveness.

(1999/C 96/036)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2042/98

by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Continual fines and charges imposed on Greek international road haulage operators

Greek international road hauliers are facing enormous problems in passing through the FYROM and Albania. The
authorities of these countries are constantly imposing excess weight charges, exorbitant
levies,
decontamination levies etc. on Greek road hauliers, while hundreds of Bulgarian, FYROM and Albanian lorries
(which are in a terrible condition) are allowed to move freely on Greece(cid:146)s road network.

transit

Will the Commission say whether it is considering the possibility of making representations to the authorities of
the countries which are continually causing problems for EU road hauliers (and singling out Greeks in particular)
to cease adopting a provocative policy towards EU international road hauliers and constantly fining them,
especially since these countries receive generous aid from the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(16 September 1998)

The imposition on Greek hauliers of transit and disinfection taxes in Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia is principally made, for the time being under the terms of bilateral agreements or arrangements
concluded between individual Member States and the third country in question.