WRITTEN QUESTION E-0286/03 by Carlos Coelho (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/75

(2004/C 11 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0269/03

by Giacomo Santini (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 February 2003)

Subject: Loss of jobs on the borders with CEECs

The accession of the Central and Eastern European Countries, scheduled for May 2004, will inevitably
result in the loss of hundreds of jobs in the border services that have until now handled customs
operations, transport and related services.

On certain borders, such as Italy’s eastern border with Slovenia, unemployment will hit over 90 % of those
at present employed in the forwarding sector and services relating to it, and will also have a range of
knock-on effects.

Added to the tangible problem of the loss of jobs and the crises likely to ensue in many families will be the
economic damage occasioned by the loss of the skills of entire categories of worker, which will result in
the dissipation of a human and cultural heritage developed through years of work and tradition.

In the light of the above, could the Commission indicate:

1. what type of measures are envisaged for categories of worker hard hit by the momentous event which

is enlargement;

2. whether it does not consider it appropriate to bring forward a proposal for a directive promoting the

retraining of all those workers who will lose their jobs on what are today’s external borders;

3. whether on the same basis a compensation scheme might be envisaged, by way of derogation from

the rules on State aid, for companies that will have to cease operating;

4. what sort of contribution countries who are set to join the EU might be asked to make to these

compensation measures?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(7 March 2003)

As the Commission has already indicated in its answer to Written Question E-2488/02 from Mr Lisi (1), it
does not intend to propose any specific measures - such as a directive or a compensation plan - for
workers whose jobs in customs, transport and related services will disappear following enlargement. The
Member States have the possibility of applying for assistance under the Structural Funds or securing
approval of State aid under the relevant guidelines laid down by the Commission.

(1) OJ C 52 E, 6.3.2003, p. 179.

(2004/C 11 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0286/03

by Carlos Coelho (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).

C 11 E/76

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

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 signif!icant 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/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0287/03

by Joaquim Piscarreta (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?