WRITTEN QUESTION E-0301/03 by Sérgio Marques (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Closure of the C. & J. Clark footwear factory in Castelo de Paiva (Portugal).
Date: 2003-02-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU policy, Portugal, aid system, aid to undertakings, cessation of trading, footwear industry, terms for aid

15.1.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 11 E/79

(cid:1) What political measures will the Commission take in order to prevent, and, ultimately, penalise actions
of this nature, as frequently perpetrated by companies which establish themselves in the EU, receive
Community funding and then, having exhausted its advantages and benefits (above all on the human
level), relocate their operations?

(2004/C 11 E/082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0301/03

by Sérgio Marques (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 February 2003)

Subject: Closure of the C. & J. Clark footwear factory in Castelo de Paiva (Portugal)

On 10 January 2003 the multinational company ‘C. & J. Clark (cid:1) Fábrica de Calçado, Lda’, a maker of
footwear located in Castelo de Paiva (Portugal), announced the closure of its factory, thus making 588
workers redundant.

The decision to close this factory is justified by the company itself on grounds relating to ‘imports of
vamps from India and Romania’ and ‘the objective of maintaining a competitive price structure’ (cf. press
release issued by the Clark management on 10 January 2003).

Clark set up operations in Castelo de Paiva in 1988, with both national and Community aid. In May 2000
the company signed a protocol with the local municipal council
in which it undertook to continue
operations up to at least 2007, in return for a significant level of investment from the municipality.

Castelo de Paiva is a municipality located in the Portuguese interior, with a very fragile economy. The
closure of this undertaking will bring in its wake disastrous economic and social consequences.

Given that this decision to close runs totally counter to the notion of corporate social responsibility, can
the Commission answer the following questions:

(cid:1) What sums were granted from Community funds, and when, to the company ‘Clark (cid:1) Fábrica de

Calçado, Lda’ in Castelo de Paiva?

(cid:1) What conditions were required from this company in relation to the above Community funding?

(cid:1) Should it be established that Clark is in breach of its obligations regarding its receipt of Community
support, what action will the Commission take to prevent the factory’s closure and ensure the
continuation of its activities in Castelo Paiva, guaranteeing the workers’ jobs?

(cid:1) What political measures will the Commission take in order to prevent, and, ultimately, penalise actions
of this nature, as frequently perpetrated by companies which establish themselves in the EU, receive
Community funding and then, having exhausted its advantages and benefits (above all on the human
level), relocate their operations?

(2004/C 11 E/083)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0441/03

by Teresa Almeida Garrett (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 February 2003)

Subject: Closure of the C. & J. Clark footwear factory in Castelo de Paiva (Portugal)

On 10 January 2003 the multinational company ‘C. & J. Clark (cid:1) Fábrica de Calçado, Lda’, a maker of
footwear located in Castelo de Paiva (Portugal), announced the closure of its factory, thus making 588
workers redundant.

The decision to close this factory is justified by the company itself on grounds relating to ‘imports of
vamps from India and Romania’ and ‘the objective of maintaining a competitive price structure’ (cf. press
release issued by the Clark management on 10 January 2003).