WRITTEN QUESTION E-1576/01 by Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Commission. EU-Turkey relations, child labour in Turkey.
Date: 2001-06-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU relations, Türkiye, child labour, child protection

C 40 E/56

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.2.2002

(2002/C 40 E/053)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1576/01

by Astrid Thors (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 June 2001)

Subject: EU-Turkey relations, child labour in Turkey

Is the Commission aware that child labour exists in Turkey and that 80 per cent of under-age workers
receive no pay in any form? How is this situation taken into account in the EU(cid:146)s dealings with Turkey?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(24 July 2001)

The Commission is fully aware of the issue of child labour in Turkey and has frequently reported on this
matter in the regular reports on Turkey.

The matter was recently discussed during one of
the sub-committees held under the Association
Committee Community/Turkey in Ankara. The Turkish side showed understanding of the problem and
indicated a set of measures in order to improve the situation. The measures envisaged are: ratification of
the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No 182, the development of further projects of
awareness raising as well as the development of an Action Plan to be prepared by a special committee.
Moreover, a draft law on (cid:145)defining light work for children and young people(cid:146) is under preparation. The
Commission has offered assistance to Turkey in the preparation of the law.

Furthermore, the Turkish side mentioned that positive effects are to be expected from the increase in the
length of compulsory education in Turkey.

On the basis of this information, the Commission has encouraged the Turkish side to make all possible
efforts in the implementation of the different initiatives.

The Commission will give a further assessment of the situation in the 2001 Regular Report to be issued in
November 2001.

(2002/C 40 E/054)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1586/01

by Cecilia Malmstr(cid:246)m (ELDR) to the Commission

Subject: Environmental legislation in Hungary

(1 June 2001)

In addition to the alarming crises of waste and waste water management, there is a lesser-known threat to
the environment in post-socialist Hungary. Extensive new building has resulted from the real estate boom
following the prospective EU accession, destroying the remaining green areas, increasing traffic, polluting
air, endangering old buildings in the vicinity and threatening public health, particularly but not exclusively
in and around Budapest. Because of a lack of appropriate environmental regulations, many municipal
officials reportedly permit the kind of environmental destruction that would not be allowed in the Member
States. It is also reported that corruption plays an important part in the granting of building permits.

Protection of the environment is one of the core issues in the negotiations about accession of the countries
of Central and Eastern Europe. Although the negotiations with Hungary are well under way, there seem
still
legislation governing construction and the
exploitation of green areas. It is of great importance that the European Union supports Hungary in
improving its environmental legislation as well as its administrative capacity to implement the EC acquis.

to be major problems in respect of environmental

What measures will the Commission take to ensure that environmental legislation in Hungary will comply
with the EC acquis and to support Hungary in developing environmental laws in line with those of the EU
Member States?