WRITTEN QUESTION E-2636/01 by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission. A European approach to trafficking in young footballers.
Date: 2001-10-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: child protection, free movement of workers, international organisation, labour law, professional sport, sports body, trafficking in human beings

6.6.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134 E/67

In particular, the Commission stated that it supported the creation within the ESC of a new operational
structure responsible not only for steel and coal-related issues, but also for industrial change and
transformation in the wider sense. The purpose of this permanent structure would be to facilitate mutual
benefit and the exchange of best practice between the coal and steel industries and the other industries
represented within the ESC. This applies in particular to the environment and sustainable development,
including the Agenda 21 process. In future, representatives of the steel and coal industries will be able to
maintain a systematic dialogue on these vital subjects with the ESC’s other advisors.

The Consultative Committee and the ESC are currently in contact with one another to decide what form
the new structure will take and how it will work.

Under Article 259 of the EC Treaty it is the Council’s responsibility to determine the ESC’s make-up.

Given the relative importance of the industries concerned and the volume of consultative activities
predicted, the Commission has proposed a structure with a total of between 25 and 30 members. This
number must, of course, be compatible with the limits laid down by Article 258 (formerly Article 194) of
the EC Treaty, according to which the ESC currently has 222 members. Under the Nice Treaty, the number
of ESC members in the future 0 and, in particular, in the context of Union enlargement 0 is not to exceed
350.

(1) COM(2000) 588 final.

(2002/C 134 E/069)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2636/01

by Margrietus van den Berg (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: A European approach to trafficking in young footballers

(2 October 2001)

In its answer to written question E-1712/01 (1) by Max van den Berg on trafficking in young footballers,
the Commission does not indicate, as requested, if it will investigate whether, and if so what, additional
European measures are called for. The Commission refers mainly to Directive 94/33/EC on the protection
of young people at work, the new FIFA rules on players’ agents and its recent agreements with FIFA,
though it also points out that it does not have the authority to flesh out the detail of such framework
agreements.

In a letter to the Netherlands parliament, the Netherlands Minister for Justice states that, although he
considers Dutch legislation on the admission and employment of young players to be adequate for
combating abusive conditions, the situation in the Netherlands could indeed be affected by different rules
in other Member States, referring primarily to the possibility that footballers under the age of 18 could be
‘parked’ in other Member States. He therefore considers that it would be a good thing if the Commission
looked into the possibility of adopting a common European approach.

Does the Commission, in the light of the letter from the Netherlands Minister for Justice for instance,
intend to investigate the prospects for a common approach to possible trafficking in young footballers?

(1) OJ C 364 E, 20.12.2001, p. 186.

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(16 November 2001)

The Commission has taken note of the additional information provided by the Honourable Member, who
refers in particular to a letter from the Netherlands’ Minister for Justice to the Dutch Parliament. The
Commission feels that it is highly useful for the national authorities to take initiatives in the area of
‘trafficking in young footballers’ and illustrate their commitment to putting an end to such practices.

C 134 E/68

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

6.6.2002

As indicated in its reply to the Honourable Member’s Written Question E-1712/01 (1), the Commission
believes that the national level continues to be the most appropriate level for action. The Commission does
not therefore currently envisage a new Community initiative to prevent ‘trafficking in young footballers’.

The Commission also believes that Council Directive 94/33/EC of 22 June 1994 on the protection of
young people at work plays a part in ensuring the protection of the young people concerned. The aim of
this Directive is to prohibit child labour, to regulate and protect work by adolescents and in general to
ensure that all employers guarantee that young people have working conditions suited to their age. Its
main objective is therefore to improve young people’s working conditions;
instead of absolutely
prohibiting child labour, it allows for the possibility of derogations for Member States.

(1) OJ C 364 E, 20.12.2001, p. 186.

(2002/C 134 E/070)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2637/01

by Toine Manders (ELDR) to the Commission

(21 September 2001)

Subject: Banking secrecy

As a result of their banking secrecy, a number of countries both within and outside the European Union
are making it possible for criminals, terrorists and/or dictators to deposit funds obtained through criminal
activities and to benefit from the growth of those funds. This may be harming the EU as a consequence of
the loss of tax revenue and the outflow of currency. Even intelligence services and tax authorities have no,
or very little, access to information concerning account holders.

The terrorist attacks in the US have shown that banking secrecy can have even more far-reaching
consequences. Evidently, there is even a link between banking secrecy and terrorism.

International terrorism and attacks on the scale of acts of war as perpetrated in the US are only possible by
virtue of a vast and intricate organisation and, furthermore, a great deal of money.

It is self-evident that, as a result of banking secrecy, it is possible for a terrorist organisation to find a safe
place in tax havens to put its money 0 money obtained by criminal means and black money 0 and even
to benefit from the growth thereof.

It is unthinkable that EU Member States should be allowing banks inadvertently to facilitate the activities of
terrorists and/or criminals.

In my opinion, countries which apply the principle of banking secrecy too rigidly are indirectly assisting
criminal organisations, which would be unable to operate if they did not have a great deal of money in a
safe and anonymous place.

Reference may be made to unfair competition vis-à-vis banks which hold only money obtained by lawful
means. Reference may also be made (perhaps in an indirect way) to protection of consumers who use the
services of banks and who may be exposed to risks as a consequence of the abovementioned unlawful
actions.

Can sanctions, such as fines or economic blockades, be imposed on Member States and even on countries
outside the European Union which, as a consequence of their banking secrecy, accept money obtained by
criminal means and, in so doing, facilitate the actions of criminals and/or terrorists?

If so, what sanctions may be imposed, and when?

If not, can the Commission, and does it intend to, submit proposals to enable sanctions to be imposed in
future?