WRITTEN QUESTION E-0384/02 by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission. China's accession to the WTO and respect for human rights.
Date: 2002-02-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, World Trade Organisation, generalised preferences, human rights, labour law, labour standard, prison system, working conditions

C 172 E/192

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.7.2002

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2002)

The Commission is aware that some Member States have securitised future revenue streams through
special purpose vehicles (SPV).

A Task Force of statistical experts from Member States is currently examining this matter in relation to
existing rules and will make recommendation to the Committee for Monetary, Financial and Balance of
Payments statistics (CMFB) on appropriate accounting treatment in line with existing Maastricht debt
definitions.

A change in the method of calculation of public debt is not being contemplated at present.

Based on existing information, the Commission does not see that actions undertaken will endanger
budgetary policy co-ordination or will lead to any deterioration of public finances.

The stability and growth pact has proved to be an effective tool for budgetary policy co-ordination
enabling the necessary macro-economic stability, which fosters growth and employment in the medium
term.

(2002/C 172 E/204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0384/02

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: China’s accession to the WTO and respect for human rights

During last October’s part-session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted Mr Gahrton’s report on
China’s accession to the WTO (A5-0366/2001). Incorporating China into the World Trade Organisation
cannot be viewed in any way other than favourably. As far as can be judged, the repercussions for the
Chinese population could only be positive. The choice of holding the Olympic Games in Peking in 2008 is
presumably based on the same logic.

However,
there are signs of public concern. Admitting the Chinese communist regime into the
international community must not mean forgetting its daily violations of human rights: death sentences,
torture, arbitrary detention etc., are not uncommon.

If China joins the World Trade Organisation it must conform to the rules. One of those is the GATT’s
General Agreement on customs tariffs of 1947, Article 20 of which provides for exceptions to the
agreement, notably concerning the import of products manufactured in prison.

In the case in point, many Chinese are sentenced to forced labour and are thereby compelled to
manufacture products for export.

The European Union has a duty to monitor this situation. How does the Commission intend to deal with
this matter?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2002)

The Commission fully shares the concern of the Honourable Member with regard to practices of forced
labour and prison labour.

Respect
including core labour standards, globally is a priority objective for the
Commission. The Communication from the Commission ‘Promoting core labour standards and improving

for human rights,

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/193

social governance in the context of globalisation (1)’ indeed presented a comprehensive strategy for the
promotion of core labour standards in the context of globalisation. The strategy suggests action at
international and European levels,
in all external relations as well as in the International Labour
Organisations to ensure the application of core labour standards.

With respect to trade policy, the Communication suggests an incentitative approach by a strengthening of
the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) social incentive scheme. The Council adopted the revised GSP
scheme in December 2001 and has thus confirmed this approach.

As regards prison labour more specifically, the Honourable Member rightly pointed to the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Article XX, which allows for trade measures to be taken against prison
labour. China’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in fact provides greater transparency in
trade practices related to prison labour. The Commission will monitor the situation in China in the light of
WTO provisions and will take action as appropriate.

(1) COM(2001) 416 final.

(2002/C 172 E/205)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0404/02

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN), Roberta Angelilli (UEN), Sergio Berlato (UEN),
Roberto Bigliardo (UEN), Sebastiano Musumeci (UEN), Antonio Mussa (UEN),
Mauro Nobilia (UEN), Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN), Franz Turchi (UEN)
and Mariotto Segni (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Italian citizens with Belgian pensions

(21 February 2002)

Italian citizens who have worked in Belgian and have returned Italy with an invalidity and/or retirement
pension awarded by the Belgian authorities have to face long delays and go through lengthy formalities
before they receive their cheques.

The Belgian bank responsible for payments sends a bank transfer to the Italian central post office in Rome.

From Rome, the post office cheques are then sent to various localities throughout Italy, resulting in
significant delays in payments and increasing the risk of pensioners being robbed when they have to
collect their money from the post office.

Will the Commission:

E ensure that Italian pensioners are treated in the same way as pensioners from Portugal, France, the
Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and even Morocco, by allowing them to receive their pension
payments directly from the Belgian bank concerned;

E intervene without delay to ensure the equal treatment of all European pensioners, thus preventing

discrimination against Italian citizens?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2002)

The Commission would like to remind the Honourable Members that, according to the provisions of
Council Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 (1), social security benefits are paid to beneficiaries either directly or
through a liaison body. Annex 6 to this Regulation mentions the procedure for payment of allowances
chosen by the institutions responsible for payment in each Member State. Belgium opted for direct
payment of allowances.

However, this Regulation does not specify what form the direct payment should take, which means that it
can be paid by money order.