WRITTEN QUESTION E-2784/02 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Federal Mogul factory closure — transfer of jobs to EU applicant countries.
Date: 2002-10-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community acquis, Poland, South West (England), Türkiye, accession criteria, accession to the European Union, cessation of trading, economic and social cohesion, transfer of businesses

17.4.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 92 E/211

(2003/C 92 E/270)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2784/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(3 October 2002)

Subject: Federal Mogul factory closure (cid:1) transfer of jobs to EU applicant countries

The Federal Mogul Company, currently based in Bridgwater, south-west England, employs 370 people. On
20 August 2002 the company announced that the Bridgwater factory would be closing and the work
transferred to Poland and Turkey, in order to reduce production costs.

Poland and Turkey are applicant countries to join the EU.

What action does the Commission intend to take with respect to this transfer of jobs to ‘cheaper’ areas of
the enlarged EU?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2002)

The concept of free and open market economies lies at the very heart of the Union and features as one of
the criteria for membership of the Union outlined at the Copenhagen European Council in December
1993. In addition, candidate countries must be able to assume the obligations of membership. The
respective transposition of the legal and institutional framework, known as ‘acquis’, is intended to ensure a
level playing field for economic operators in the enlarging single market.

The European Social Model is founded on the premise that economic growth and social cohesion are
mutually reinforcing and that the right balance needs to be struck in order to ensure the dynamic
interaction of economic, employment and social policy.

All candidate countries will be obliged, upon accession, to apply the Community ‘acquis’, including the
acts adopted in the area of social law.

It is evident that the social partners play a crucial part in this context. That is why the Commission aims to
develop the social dialogue within candidate countries.

Furthermore, the Commission invited the social partners to engage in a dialogue on anticipating and
managing change with a view to apply a dynamic approach to the social aspects of corporate
restructuring.

As regards relocation of enterprises in general, the Commission advocates the idea that, when taking
decisions, enterprises should always take into account the effects that those decisions could have on their
employees as well as on the social and regional context. This has recently been underlined in the
Commission Communication concerning Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). A business contribution to
Sustainable Development (1).

(1) COM(2002) 347 final.

(2003/C 92 E/271)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2791/02

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Increase in the number of industrial accidents in Greece

(4 October 2002)

According to recent information published by the Labour Inspectorate, there has been an increase in the
number of industrial accidents in Greece. Does the Commission have any information about the number
of industrial accidents in each Member State of the European Union? Is it satisfied with the policy of
prevention of industrial accidents in Greece?