WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2975/98 by Umberto BOSSI to the Commission. Italian proposal to promote job creation in the south with exemptions from contributions
Date: 1998-09-28
Institutions: BOSSI, European Parliament
Subjects: Italy, Sicily, State aid, aid to undertakings, application of EU law, control of State aid, job creation, small and medium-sized enterprises

C 135/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.5.1999

action plan (3) on both illegal and harmful content on the Internet focusing on prevention and public
awareness aspects. As for the use of Internet by criminal organisations, Europol is seeking to develop a
strategy to obtain intelligence and information on high tech crime that would embrace a larger scope than
simply computer crime.

(1) COM(90) 449 final.
(2) COM(95 381 final.
(3) COM(97) 582 final.

(1999/C 135/181)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2975/98

by Umberto Bossi (NI) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: Italian proposal to promote job creation in the south with exemptions from contributions

The Italian Government recently issued a proposal to promote job creation in the south of Italy by
exempting firms in the area from paying contributions.

The Government failed, moreover, to obtain information from the Community authorities about the
legality of this measure. The same thing happened in 1995 when it launched ‘work training contracts’ and
as a result of this emission infringement proceedings were initiated against Italy (for breaching
Community anti-trust rules) and the firms were requested to refund all the subsidies received since 1995.

Does the Commission not agree that the Italian Government’s measures to support the south discriminate
against firms in the other regions of Italy which would like to hire more staff but cannot benefit from any
job-creation measures?

What measures does the Commission intend to take against Italy in order to avoid any further ‘omission’
to notify national measures?

Does the Commission not consider that SMEs in Italy should be given more protection to ensure that
productive workers do not suffer from the Government’s errors?

Answer given by Mr Van Miert on behalf of the Commission

(19 October 1998)

The Commission has not been officially informed of the proposal to which the Honourable Member refers.

Under Article 93(3) of the EC Treaty, the Italian Government is obliged to inform the Commission of any
plans to grant or alter aid before they are implemented, so that it can decide whether they are compatible
with the common market. The Commission will ensure that this obligation is met.

The Commission will examine measures notified to it in the light of Community rules and in particular,
where the measure is to promote job creation, on the basis of the guidelines on aid to employment (1).

If measures are put into effect before the Commission gives its approval, they are illegal and the
Commission may also ask for any subsidies received to be refunded.

The Commission does not consider it appropriate to comment on the Italian Government’s intentions to
support certain regions or categories of firms, provided that Community rules on state aid are upheld.

(1) OJ C 334, 12.12.1995.