WRITTEN QUESTION E-3629/02 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Implementation of Community health and safety legislation in Greece.
Date: 2002-12-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU control, European Commission, Greece, complaint to the Commission, labour law, national implementing measure, occupational disease, occupational health, occupational safety

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/175

As already the Commission has pointed out, investments for the establishment of small local abattoirs may
be eligible for aid within the framework of the structural funds programme for the Highlands and Islands
under Objective 1 (Article 25 (cid:1) 28 of Council Regulation (EC) 1257/1999 on support
for rural
development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and
repealing certain Regulations (2)).

The Scottish authorities have to assess if these conditions are met in the case of investments for local
abattoir facilities in the Western Isles of Scotland and should notify to the Commission if state aid in the
sense of Article 87 paragraph 1 of the EC Treaty is concerned.

(1) OJ C 232, 12.8.2000.
(2) OJ L 160, 26.6.1999.

(2003/C 155 E/194)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3629/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 December 2002)

Subject: Implementation of Community health and safety legislation in Greece

In relation to the investigation of complaint 00/4404 SG (2000) and the most recent question concerning
that complaint (E-2773/02) (1), the Commission has shown real interest and organised meetings in Greece
to collect more information. At the meeting between the Commission representative and the complainant,
the latter presented information providing evidence of the complaints relating both to the undertaking
where he works (a written admission by the undertaking’s departments that nothing was done in relation
to workers’ health at work during the period under consideration) and the annual report of the Greek
inspection authorities (report of the activities of SEPE 2001).

Since the above information provides incriminating evidence with regard to the application of Community
legislation on the health and safety of workers, such as the total failure of SEPE to deal with occupational
illness, inadequate processing and recording of occupational accidents and a failure to record employers’
liability:

1. What are the initial conclusions from the investigation and the complaints and information which the
Commission has received, including the revealing details provided by the General Confederation of
Greek Workers?

2. On the basis of Articles 140, 211 and 226 of the Treaty, will the Commission formulate an opinion or
recommendation regarding the implementation of Community legislation on the health and safety of
workers in Greece?

(1) OJ C 52 E, 6.3.2003, p. 215.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(6 February 2003)

1.
The Honourable Member refers to complaint 2000/4404 and to his most recent question concerning
this matter (Written Question E-2773/02); in this connection, the Commission would refer him to its
answer to that question. As the Honourable Member notes, the Commission got in touch firstly with the
complainant and then with the Greek authorities with a view to clarifying the matter. At the meeting with
the complainant on 5 November 2002 in Athens, the Commission representative was given a large dossier
in Greek by the complainant. A meeting with the Greek authorities was held on the same day. As part of
its investigation of complaint 2000/4404, the Commission is currently examining the dossier from the
complainant and will take appropriate measures in the light of the findings of this examination, and on the
basis of its examination of information obtained from the Greek authorities.

C 155 E/176

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

The Commission will, of course, keep the complainant informed of any developments.

2.
If it were to emerge from the information in its possession that the Greek authorities have failed to
comply with Community law, the Commission would consider whether it would be appropriate to
institute infringement proceedings pursuant to Article 226 of the EC Treaty.

(2003/C 155 E/195)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3641/02

by Ole Sørensen (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 December 2002)

Subject: Film production (cid:1) Objective 2 aid

The Commission informed the Danish authorities in the spring of 2002 that Objective 2 funding cannot
be used to subsidise film production directly. Can it confirm that similar conditions have been laid down
for the Objective 2 aid being provided for a similar film project in Trollhättan in Sweden?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(21 February 2003)

The Commission informs the Honourable Member that the Danish Authorities submitted a proposal for
modification of the programming complement of the Danish Objective 2 programme (2000-2006) on
22nd April 2002, concerning support to the film sector.

As the scope of the proposal was only to give operating aids to film production, the Commission replied
to the Danish authorities on 15 May 2002 that the proposed activity was not eligible according to
Regulation 1783/99 on the European Regional Development Fund (1).

The Commission’s letter also included comments on the potential eligibility of different aspects of film
production as described in the note that was attached to the submission of the Danish authorities letter of
22 April. The Commission indicated that a number of actions relating to film production could be eligible,
including the creation of Small and medium-sized enterprises in the film sector, the creation of networks,
innovation and support to logistic services for the film industry.

In a letter of 10 June 2002, the Commission took the opportunity to update the Swedish authorities on its
reply to the Danish authorities. It should be recalled in this context that responsibility for the correct
implementation of the Regulations on the Structural Funds lies with the authorities in the Member State.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 of the Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 1999 on the European Regional

Development Fund (cid:1) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999.

(2003/C 155 E/196)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3649/02

by Mathieu Grosch (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(11 December 2002)

Subject: Training and certification of railway staff

the proposal

the
Under
Commission stipulates, in Article 12(2), first subparagraph, that Member States should be responsible for
the training of train drivers and other train staff.

for the amendment of Directive 95/18/EC and Directive 2001/14/EC (1),