WRITTEN QUESTION E-1790/00 by Mauro Nobilia (UEN) to the Commission. Mutual recognition by building societies.
Date: 2000-06-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European social policy, Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, building industry, competence of the Member States, social-security harmonisation

C 53 E/188

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.2.2001

Relations between Lebanon and the Community are governed by the 1975 co-operation agreement, which
essentially sets out trade and economic arrangements between the partners. It does not cover such issues as
human rights,
legal obligations of a civil nature, or humanitarian issues. The Euro-Med association
agreement which would normally cover those issues, is still under negotiation.

These cases are normally taken up on a bilateral basis between the Member State authorities and the
Lebanese authorites. The case cited by the Honourable Member is also of a bilateral nature and therefore it
should be pursued through the usual diplomatic and legal channels between the two states concerned.

(2001/C 53 E/243)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1790/00

by Mauro Nobilia (UEN) to the Commission

(8 June 2000)

Subject: Mutual recognition by building societies

Article 37 of Italian Law No 109/94 provided that (cid:145)the social partners concerned(cid:146) were to enter into an
appropriate agreement by 5 March 1995 to encourage workers(cid:146) mobility through mutual recognition of
the payments made by workers to the various building societies.

The above article provided that in the absence of such an agreement
the building societies would
automatically mutually recognise all (cid:145)rights, payments, allowances and benefits to which workers have
become entitled with the institutions of which they are members(cid:146).

Pursuant to Law No 415/98, the deadline laid down in the previous law for concluding the mutual
recognition agreement was extended to 16 May 1999.

In the interval between the two above-mentioned laws, the Sardinian and Sicilian Confederations of Craft
Industries and Trades set up with the trade union confederation UGL (Unione Generale di Lavoro (cid:129)
General Workers(cid:146) Union) two regional building societies for the craft industries giving workers who were
members of them exactly the same rights as those of the other building societies in strict application of all
the provisions laid down by the national collective bargaining agreement for that sector.

On 18 December 1998, at the instigation of the Ministry of Labour, the ANCE (Associazione Nazionale
Costruttori Edili (cid:129) National association of building contractors), the craft industries confederations and the
CGIL (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (cid:129) Italian general workers(cid:146) confederation), the Interna-
tional Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the UIL (Unione Italiana del Lavoro (cid:129) Italian workers(cid:146)
union) signed the agreement originally provided for by Law 109/94 excluding the UGL and the above-
mentioned regional confederations of craft industries and trades.

In July 1999 Under-Secretary Viviani called another meeting of
the above-mentioned parties and
confirmed the exclusion of the UGL and the Sardinian and Sicilian Confederations of Craft Industries and
Trades.

On 9 September 1999, at the end of the above meeting, another agreement was entered into in which the
Ministry of Labour (cid:145)takes note of the resulting obligation on the part of the organisations which have not
signed the protocol of 18 December 1998 to complete by means of similar provisions the implementation
of the mutual recognition agreements between the respective joint bodies by 30 September 1999(cid:146).

Up to now, neither the UGL nor the Sardinian and Sicilian Confederations of Craft Industries and Trades
have been called to a meeting.

20.2.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 53 E/189

Can the Commission:

(cid:129) ascertain whether the facts set out above are true;

(cid:129) if need be, take action to persuade the Italian Ministry of Labour to remove any discrimination and
any unlawful competition which might arise due to the fact that those excluded cannot obtain the
essential (cid:145)declarations of release certifying that they have regularly paid their contributions(cid:146) provided
for by Law No 415/98?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(19 July 2000)

The Commission has no jurisdiction to deal with the question asked, which is a matter solely for the
national authorities concerned.

(2001/C 53 E/244)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1795/00

by JosØ Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(9 June 2000)

Subject: Proposals by the German Minister Joschka Fischer concerning the future of the European Union

The media (cid:129) in particular in France (cid:129) have published statements made by the Commissioner Michel
Barnier expressing approval and appreciation of the proposals concerning the future of the European
Union made publicly by the German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in Berlin on 12 May this year.

Mr Fischer(cid:146)s proposals differ on practically all the most important points from the views expressed
previously in the current debate on the forthcoming IGC and reported by the Commission, in particular
by Commissioner Barnier, who has responsibility and specific competence for preparing the IGC.
In particular they contrast sharply with the Commission(cid:146)s official position and the proposals for the
revision of the Treaties which, in accordance with the provisions and rules set out in Article 48 of the EU
Treaty, were presented by the President Romano Prodi and by Michel Barnier himself on 26 January this
year, at the special meeting held with the European Parliament in Brussels.

Can the Commission say what views are currently held by the Commission and Commissioner Michel
Barnier on the fundamental issues raised in the recent proposals by the German Minister Joschka Fischer
concerning the future of the European Union and its institutions? Does the Commission abide by or has it
revised its proposals? If it does back Mr Fischer(cid:146)s proposals as reported by the media, does it intend to
revise completely the opinion and plans which it presented on 26 January in accordance with the
procedure set out in the Treaties?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(6 July 2000)

Mr Fischer expressly stated that his speech did not concern the challenges to be met over the next few
months, but rather the prospects for European integration well beyond the current Intergovernmental
Conference. The Commission sees no reason to revise the opinion it issued on 26 January under Article 48
of the Treaty on European Union concerning the convocation of an intergovernmental conference with a
view to amending the Treaties.