WRITTEN QUESTION P-3883/00 by Claude Desama (PSE) to the Commission. Management of WEU staff.
Date: 2000-12-04
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European official, Western European Union, dismissal, personnel administration, recruitment, regulations for civil servants

C 163 E/220

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2001

The data attributed to the European Working Group for Legionella infections (EWGLI) surveillance scheme
and mentioned in the Dutch paper were an incorrect extrapolation from information on the EWGLI
website. The actual number of travel related cases of legionnaires(cid:146) disease that the EWGLI surveillance
scheme has ascertained is one tenth of that quoted. The correct
information is available at http://
www.ewgli.org/.

The Commission has discussed the issues of dissemination of information, prevention and control of
legionnaires(cid:146) disease at the Community network committee established by Decision 2119/98/EC of the
Parliament and the Council of 24 September 1998 setting up a network for the epidemiological
surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community (1) at its December 2000 meeting.
The Commission proposes the development of an information policy that addresses the issues of
transparency and confidentiality with regards to information for public health and to continue developing
its work on prevention of legionnaires(cid:146) disease within the Community network assisted by experts from
Member States and the network committee. Working groups on both these issues are meeting early in
2001, and subsequent measures that appear to be necessary will be developed according to the procedures
defined in Decision 2119/98/EC.

(1) OJ L 268, 3.10.1998.

(2001/C 163 E/258)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3882/00

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Completion and re-opening of road axis 10

(4 December 2000)

The events in the former Yugoslavia have not only led to the embargo, they have also put an end to the
transport of Greek goods through Yugoslavia and interrupted work on the road axis linking central and
southern Europe.

In view of the political changes that have taken place in Yugoslavia, what steps does the Commission
intend to take to complete and re-open road axis 10 which passes through Zagreb and Belgrade and which
will facilitate road links between Greece and Central Europe?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 January 2001)

We have not yet started to focus on infrastructure improvements. Our efforts have been concentrated on
implementing a € 200 million emergency package of assistance to help get Serbia through the winter.
We aim to have a donors(cid:146) conference for the Federal Republic of Yougoslavia (FRY) once its relationship
with the IFIs has been resolved (cid:129) we hope this will be by the early summer and once a thorough
assessment of the FRY(cid:146)s needs, currently underway, has been completed (cid:129) we will look at the possibility of
works on road axis 10 as part of that.

(2001/C 163 E/259)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3883/00

by Claude Desama (PSE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Management of WEU staff

Staff at the WEU are facing an uncertain future. New bodies have been set up under the second pillar,
without taking into account the skills available in the WEU. As a result of these decisions, a large number
of staff have been made redundant and new staff recruited, many people have been moved and EU and
WEU buildings have been restructured: all this has cost the taxpayer a great deal of money.

6.6.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 163 E/221

In a climate in which Europe is increasingly mindful of its social dimension, I am concerned about the
wisdom of these dismissals and wonder whether resources have been soundly managed.

Does the Commission agree that, before recruiting new staff, it would be wiser to make optimum use of
the human resources available in the WEU? If so, what prospects does it intend to offer the officials
concerned?

Answer given by Mr Kinnock on behalf of the Commission

(5 January 2001)

The recruitment of staff for the institutions of the Community is regulated clearly by the Statute. In
accordance with Article 29 of the Staff Regulations, other than in a limited number of cases (A1 and A2
officials and, in exceptional cases, for recruitment to posts which require special qualifications), recruitment
of permanent officials can only take place following the successful participation in a competition, which is
open to all nationals of Member States.

The Commission shares the Hon Member(cid:146)s view that the skills and the experience of staff of the Western
European Union (WEU) who are affected by the organizational changes within the WEU can be of value to
the Institutions of the Community. Therefore, the Commission has already entered into a dialogue with the
WEU General Secretariat and with WEU staff representatives in order to explore the possibilities for
recruitment of WEU staff in conformity with the Staff regulations.

(2001/C 163 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3884/00

by Helle Thorning-Schmidt (PSE) to the Commission

(4 December 2000)

Subject: Ban on wearing headscarves at work

Does the Commission take the view that it is consistent with the directive establishing a general framework
for equal treatment in employment and occupation for an employer to ban employees from wearing
headscarves which they wish to wear on religious grounds when the ban is not based on considerations of
safety?

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(2 February 2001)

On 27 November 2000, the Council adopted Directive 2000/78/EC establishing a general framework for
equal treatment in employment and occupation (1). It is planned that this Directive will come into force on
2 December 2003.

Article 2 of this Directive prohibits any direct or indirect discrimination based on religion. Wearing an
is considered to be a distinctive sign of belonging to a certain religion. In
Islamic headscarf (Hijab)
principle, an employer banning its employees from wearing such Islamic headscarves or veils could be
seen as a case of discrimination based on religion and therefore contrary to Directive 2000/78/EC.

However, in certain occupations, workers must adopt a specific dress code, or even a uniform, in order to
do their job (for example in hospitals) for reasons relating in particular to the protection of health and
safety. In such a case, an employer banning its employees from wearing such Islamic headscarves does not
appear to be a case of discrimination based on religion and would not come under the scope of the
Directive.

It will be up to national judges to assess the facts and circumstances of individual cases and to rule on the
issue once the Directive is in force.

(1) OJ L 303, 2.12.2000.