WRITTEN QUESTION E-0523/00 by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission. Investigating and preventing mobbing in Europe.
Date: 2000-02-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: comparative study, economic consequence, labour law, occupational health, psychological harassment, working conditions

C 330 E/180

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.11.2000

freight by rail was
Last year the agreement with the Italian state railways on the distribution of
discontinued. Can the Commission state whether the new transport service providers were chosen on the
basis of a regular call for tenders in line with the procedures laid down by Community legislation?

The strategy of integrating environmental policies into other Community policies is a priority for the
European Union, as established in the Treaty of Amsterdam. The European Union has undertaken to
reduce CO2 emissions, as required by the Kyoto Convention.

Does the Commission consider that, wherever possible and providing the same standards of efficiency are
assured, preference should be given to rail rather than road transport?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 2000)

The Commission has no knowledge of any alleged infringements of Community procurement law that
would allow it to approach the Italian authorities in order to check the regularity of procedures for the
award of contracts mentioned by the Honourable Member.

The Commission would therefore be particularly grateful if the Honourable Member could forward any
information she has on the subject. The Commission will launch an investigation on the basis of this
information to assess whether any infringements of Community law on public contracts have occurred,
and to take any necessary measures laid down in the EC Treaty in order to ensure that the procedure in
question complies with Community law on public contracts.

Current Commission policy in the rail sector aims to give rail transport a competitive position in the
transport market by creating a framework which will allow it to compete on equal terms with other modes
of transport.

(2000/C 330 E/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0523/00

by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Investigating and preventing mobbing in Europe

The scientific literature defines (cid:145)mobbing(cid:146) as systematic and continuous victimisation of an employee, by
his colleagues or superiors, with a view to forcing him out of his job. It involves repeated non-physical
attacks of various kinds and degrees including continuous and unjustified criticism, slander, making the
victim perform thankless or degrading tasks, and any action that could damage his professional or personal
standing in the eyes of third persons, superiors or business contacts.

The consequences of such incidents should not be underestimated. The first studies indicate that mobbing
is not only detrimental to the victims(cid:146) health, but causes firms significant social costs. It is reported that the
work rate of a person subjected to such treatment can decline by 80 %, as it affects workers(cid:146) performance,
resistance and concentration and can eventually result in physical and psychological illnesses involving
protracted absences from work.

Recently, this problem has aroused growing interest at European level. The various national statutory
provisions do not at present provide an adequate basis for the establishment of measures to prevent
mobbing, protect the victims and provide compensation. A few references to the subject exist in the
legislation, but there is no separate body of law aimed at providing a global and effective response.

What does the Commission intend to do to address this problem in Europe?

21.11.2000

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 330 E/181

Does it agree that it is necessary to look into this delicate and important subject more closely by, for
example, carrying out a comparative study of mobbing in the various countries of the European Union
and examining possible solutions?

What internal measures does the Commission intend to take in connection with the administrative reforms
currently under way?

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(27 April 2000)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that this subject should be investigated more closely
and, indeed, the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work has set up a
working party on the prevention of violence in the workplace. The working document on this subject,
drawn up by an institute at the Commission(cid:146)s request, and a publication by the ILO (International Labour
Organisation) on violence in the workplace, also presented to the working party, have been forwarded
directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of the Parliament.

At its first meeting in October 1999, the working party decided to investigate the subject of violence in
the workplace in general, including mobbing and sexual harassment at work.

The working party is currently drawing up an opinion on this subject which is due to be discussed at the
plenary meeting of the Advisory Committee planned for October 2000. On the basis of this opinion, the
Commission will be able to assess the need for new Community measures to protect workers from
violence in the workplace.

As part of the reform of the Staff Regulations, Action 47 of the White Paper (1) on reforming the
Commission expressly provides for the adoption of provisions to protect the dignity of the person in the
workplace.

With regard to sexual harassment in particular, which may be considered to be one of the specific aspects
of violence in the workplace, in 1990 the Commission published a code of conduct for its staff, which was
supplemented and updated in 1996.

(1) COM(2000) 200.

(2000/C 330 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0529/00

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Workplace equipment for blind switchboard operators

The occupation of switchboard operator is one of the few employment opportunities available to blind
people. As a consequence of advances in the field of electronics, switchboards are currently being
manufactured in such a way that blind and partially-sighted people are no longer able to work
independently and in the most effective manner. The new switchboards often do not permit blind people
to identify incoming calls, lines which are not engaged, and the engaged signal for internal telephones, as
such information only appears on a display suitable for use by people who are able to see. Blind people
need to be provided with the information in an acoustic form or in a form identifiable to the touch. In
order to ensure that blind and partially-sighted people continue to have the opportunity to work as
switchboard operators, and are able to exercise their right to work,
it is important for producers of
telephone equipment to manufacture switchboards in such a way that they can be easily and inexpensively
adapted for use by blind people.

Do European directives or regulations exist requiring manufacturers to design equipment in such a way as
to meet the needs of blind people?

Does the Commission intend to duly examine this problem and to submit appropriate proposals for
legislation?