WRITTEN QUESTION E-3927/00 by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission. Application of ILO Convention 147 to ships using Community ports.
Date: 2000-12-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU waters, harbour installation, international standard, living conditions, maritime safety, maritime transport, working conditions

C 187 E/84

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.7.2001

(2001/C 187 E/091)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3926/00

by Cristina GutiØrrez-Cortines (PPE-DE) to the Council

(20 December 2000)

Subject: European Social Fund and teacher training

Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 (1) laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds provides for
measures to be taken in different spheres under the European Social Fund, including the promotion and
improvement of vocational training and the encouragement of education as part of a policy of continuing
education.

The Council:

1. Will the Council give details of the total amount allocated to training?

2. What sums have been allocated to the training of trainers and teachers in Spain?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.

Reply

(24 April 2001)

The Council would point out to the Honourable Member that it is not for it to decide how much
European Social Fund aid should be allocated for training or for instructor- and teacher-training in Spain.

Pursuant
to the Regulation laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds to which the
Honourable Member refers, decisions on Structural Fund contributions are adopted by the Commission,
by agreement with the Member State concerned.

The Council is not therefore in a position to reply to the Honourable Member(cid:146)s question.

(2001/C 187 E/092)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3927/00

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Application of ILO Convention 147 to ships using Community ports

The recent (cid:145)Ievolo Sun(cid:146) shipping disaster has once again focused public attention on the dangers of
maritime transport in Community waters. One year after the Erika shipwreck, an initial package of
measures on maritime safety proposed by the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council is
about to be adopted.

The amendment of Council Directive 95/21/EC concerning the enforcement, in respect of shipping using
Community ports and sailing in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Member States, of international
standards for ship safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions (port State
control), the amendment of Directive 94/57/EC on common rules and standards for ship inspection and
survey organisations and for the relevant activities of maritime administrations, and the proposal for
a regulation on the accelerated phasing-in of double hull or equivalent design requirements for single hull
oil tankers are all technical measures in the field of maritime safety policy.

3.7.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 187 E/85

Nevertheless, it must not be forgotten that the human factor is the most important element in maritime
transport safety, since between 70 and 80 % of accidents or shipwrecks are caused by human error.

In this connection, what are the Commission(cid:146)s views on prohibiting access to Community ports for ships
which do not meet the social conditions laid down in ILO Convention 147? The question is also relevant
to the Paris memorandum, which should be amended so as to ensure that checks on social conditions on
board ships are systematic and effective.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2001)

Council Directive 95/21/EC of 19 June 1995 concerning the enforcement, in respect of shipping using
Community ports and sailing in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Member States, of international
standards for ships safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions (port State
control) (1) provides for the verification by inspectors of the port State control of the provisions of
Convention 147 of the International Labour Office (ILO). Non-compliance with social standards does not
of itself lead to a refusal of access to Community ports. However, under the Directive inspectors may
detain ships if the safety or hygiene conditions on board are unsatisfactory.

Directive 1999/95/EEC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 1999 concerning
the enforcement of provisions in respect of seafarers(cid:146) hours of work on board ships calling at Community
ports (2) reinforces its control by providing for verification in Community ports of compliance with the
provisions of ILO Convention 180 and the Protocol to Convention 147 concerning the conditions and
hours of work on board. Deficiencies revealed during such inspections (such as undue fatigue of members
of the crew) may lead to the detention of the vessel.

Finally, amendments made to Directive 95/21/EC are regularly incorporated into the Paris Memorandum.
In any event, where there are differences between the Paris Memorandum and Directive 95/21/EC, Member
States are required to comply with the provisions of the Directive.

(1) OJ L 157, 7.7.1995.
(2) OJ L 104, 20.1.2000.

(2001/C 187 E/093)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3928/00

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(13 December 2000)

Subject: Abandonment of seafarers in EU ports

The scandalous abandonment of crew members and ships by some shipowners is one of the many
violations of seafarers(cid:146) rights reported in recent years and testifying to the decline in the living and
working conditions of these workers.

International solutions are needed to this problem, but above all recognition by the European Union via
special legislation and closer cooperation between states.

Should the European Union not introduce safeguards to prevent seafarers from extreme situations of this
kind?

Will this Commission remedy this shortcoming by proposing legislation to make binding the provisions of
ILO Convention 163, ILO Recommendation 173 on seafarers(cid:146) welfare and ILO Convention 166 on the
repatriation of seafarers?