WRITTEN QUESTION E-1492/00 by Mauro Nobilia (UEN) to the Commission. Breda-Omeca case.
Date: 2000-05-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Calabria, Italy, application of EU law, asbestos, competence of the Member States, occupational health, social security, vehicle on rails

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/153

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(4 July 2000)

As the Commission has stated already in reply to the oral question H-0297/00 by Mrs Riis-J(cid:246)rgensen
during question time at Parliament(cid:146)s April 2000 part-session (1) the bilateral measures taken by the
governments of 14 Member States with regard to the governement coalition in Austria, are not matters
relating to the EU Treaty or EC Treaty and do not affect the rights and obligations of Member States under
Community law.

A principle of loyalty and solidarity among the Member States that could be read out of Article 10
(ex-Article 5) of the EC Treaty is not violated here.

(1) Debates of the European Parliament (April 2000).

(2001/C 53 E/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1488/00

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(11 May 2000)

Subject: Burma

What impact does the Commission consider that Burma(cid:146)s membership of ASEAN has had on progress
towards the development of democracy and respect for human rights in Burma?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 June 2000)

The Commission believes that the human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar remains of great concern.

It would appear that Burma/Myanmar(cid:146)s membership of the Association of South-East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) has helped to focus the attention of other ASEAN member countries on the situation, and a
number of these countries have sought to encourage the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to
make progress on the issues of human rights and democratisation. This process has been reinforced by the
strong position taken by the Union, which has refused to accept the accession of Burma/Myanmar under
its present regime to the European Union-ASEAN cooperation agreement or its active participation in the
programmes executed under that agreement or even discussion of those programmes.

The Union attaches great importance to its relations with ASEAN and has therefore proposed to hold an
European Union-ASEAN ministerial meeting in Asia before the end of 2000. The Union has also made
clear its readiness to initiate a meaningful political dialogue with Burma/Myanmar and intends to send an
official-level Troika mission to Rangoon/Yangon with a view to the establishment of such a dialogue. In
these contacts, the Union will make further efforts to explain the concerns already spelled out in the Union
common position with regard to the lack of progress towards democratisation and the continuing
violations of human rights and to encourage Burma/Myanmar to take concrete and visible actions to
meet these concerns.

(2001/C 53 E/197)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1492/00

by Mauro Nobilia (UEN) to the Commission

(11 May 2000)

Subject: Breda-Omeca case

From 1965 to 1992 the Breda-Omeca factory in Reggio Calabria used asbestos and materials containing
asbestos in standard insulation for railway carriages. Italian laws 257 of 1992 and 271 of 1973 confirm
that the use of asbestos as a building material is illegal and entitle those who have worked with the

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Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

mineral for at least ten years to special social security benefits. Workers employed by Breda-Omeca have
not yet been granted entitlement to the social security benefits provided for by Italian law, despite the fact
that numerous technical expert(cid:146)s reports have found traces of blue asbestos in the factory. The firm(cid:146)s
employees are continuing to work in premises that have been declared on several occasions to be
contaminated by asbestos and never decontaminated.

The Commission:

1. Will it ascertain whether or not this is true?

2. Will it check whether the presence of many workers in factories contaminated with asbestos is not in
breach of the Community legislation in force to protect workers against the risks of exposure to
carcinogenic agents at the workplace?

3. Will it also ascertain whether the workers in the factory, many of whom have worked with asbestos
for many years, are not entitled to specific social security benefits under Community provisions?

4.

If necessary, will it take the matter up with the Italian authorities to ensure that workers in Breda-
Omeca in Reggio Calabria are entitled to the social security benefits provided by the law referred to
above?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(27 June 2000)

The Commission is not aware of the specific case reported by the Honourable Member.

However, the protection of workers against risks related to exposure to asbestos at work is covered by
Council Directive 83/477/EE (1) of 19 September 19831 as amended by Council Directive 91/382/EE (2) of
25 June 19912 which contains specific provisions to prevent the health effects of asbestos. This Directive
has been transposed correctly into Italian law.

Any possible infringement of the national provisions transposing the above Directive must be notified to
the Italian authorities responsible for their enforcement, which must organise and carry out the inspections
and checks necessary for the proper implementation of these measures.

Although Commission Recommendation 90/326/EEC of 22 May 1990 to the Member States concerning
the adoption of a European Schedule of occupational disease (3)3 refers to all the diseases caused by
exposure to asbestos, compensation for occupational diseases and specific social security benefits are
matters for the Member State.

(1) OJ L 263, 24.9.1983.
(2) OJ L 206, 29.7.1991.
(3) OJ L 160, 26.6.1990.

(2001/C 53 E/198)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1494/00

by Per Gahrton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 May 2000)

Subject: Publication of (cid:145)Europe without frontiers(cid:146)

What does it cost to publish (cid:145)Europe without frontiers(cid:146)?