WRITTEN QUESTION E-0538/03 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Export processing zones on the island of Mauritius where goods are produced for the European market by workers who are paid extremely low wages and are subjected to unacceptable working conditions.
Date: 2003-02-26
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Mauritius, industrial free zone, remuneration of work, social clause, social dumping, working conditions

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/51

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(2 April 2003)

It is correct that the Polish government has succeeded in having a declaration on ‘public morality’ inserted
in the Accession Treaty. That declaration does not specifically contain a reference to any Law on abortion
in Poland. The declaration as such does not imply that Poland was granted an exemption from its duties
and obligations under the EC Treaties. On the contrary, the present Member States have issued a general
joint declaration underlining that the declarations added to the Accession Treaty cannot be interpreted or
applied in a way contrary to the obligations of the Member States arising from the Treaty and the Act of
Accession. The Commission has fully subscribed to this declaration.

It should be recalled in any event that Member States remain competent to decide upon their national
legislation on abortion and that abortion is subject to various restrictions in current Member States.

(2004/C 33 E/048)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0538/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(26 February 2003)

Subject: Export processing zones on the island of Mauritius where goods are produced for the European
market by workers who are paid extremely low wages and are subjected to unacceptable working
conditions

1.
Is the Commission aware that, on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, a former colony of various
current Member States of the EU, ‘export processing zones’ have been set up where luxury goods, such as
designer wear, electronic goods and cosmetics, as well as tinned tuna, are produced for the European
market?

2.
Is the Commission aware that the law in Mauritius allows the workers in such zones to be paid
extremely low wages in return for very long working hours in unsafe conditions, which means that the
people involved cannot lead even a very poor life on those wages without becoming dependent on
financial aid from the state and on living in shacks made out of waste materials?

Is the Commission also aware that wages and working conditions in such zones have recently
3.
become so bad that no Mauritians want to work there any longer, with the result that the jobs are now
being taken by immigrants from China, Indian and Bangladesh who, before they even arrive on Mauritius
to start work, have had to pay extortionate recruitment fees, so that, ultimately, after many years of hard
work on Mauritius, their reward is to be able to return to their homeland still burdened by debt?

4.
Does the Commission agree with my conclusion that that the work undertaken does not result in
local development but in permanent exploitation which maintains the cost of luxury goods in Europe at an
artificially low level, with the result that our prosperity becomes increasingly dependent on permanent
poverty elsewhere in the world, which also contributes to the destruction of good jobs in Europe?

5. What contribution can the EU make to ensure that this unacceptable situation is ended at the earliest
possible opportunity, for example by advising companies importing such goods and their customers about
the conditions in which the goods are manufactured, by banning imports of goods for which prices are
kept artificially low and by contacting the Government of Mauritius and the governments of similar
countries with a view to zones of this nature being closed down?

Source: TV Nederland 2, ‘Twee Vandaag’ (Two Today) news programme, 12 February 2003.

C 33 E/52

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of the existence of Export Processing Zones (EPZ), which have played a major
role in Mauritius’ development over the past 30 years.

The Commission is also aware that, in general terms, EPZs have frequently been criticised for providing
sub-standard working conditions and for discouraging unions. In Mauritius the labour market for the
export sector was effectively segmented from the rest of the economy, and exporting firms were able to
flexibly expand or reduce the labour force in response to changing market conditions. The recent increase
in the number of illegal work stoppages in Mauritius’ EPZs indicates that the otherwise extensive system of
regulation is not entirely effective. New developments in international trade and labour patterns in relation
to EPZs could also affect the situation of the EPZs in Mauritius. In that context, the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) has intensified its work on employment and social policy in respect of EPZs. The ILO
has reported on some problems which occurred in Mauritius relating to the recruitment of an employment
practices for migrant workers and other issues such as working time (1).

The Commission would not agree that the EPZs in Mauritius have not resulted in local development. The
EPZs, together with sugar, tourism and financial services, are considered one of the four pillars continuing
to drive economic activity. Mauritius has successfully woven EPZs into its industrialisation process through
the establishment of durable links between the EPZs and domestic suppliers, thus maximising the potential
the zones offer in terms of employment creation.

The Commission does indeed deplore the abuse of labour legislation in Mauritius, as elsewhere. In this
respect it should be recalled that the Community is committed to applying the ILO Core Labour Standards.
Furthermore, the Commission has recently strengthened its co-operation with the ILO, which covers the
world-wide promotion of core labour standards,
the promotion of decent work including poverty
eradication and the promotion of the social dimension of globalisation. The Community has also agreed to
promote the application of core labour standards in the framework of bilateral and multilateral agreements
with developing countries. A good example is Article 50 of the Cotonou Agreement; in this Article, the
Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States have reaffirmed their commitment to the
ILO Core Labour Standards.

The negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreements between the Union and ACP states will be an
opportunity to intensify the dialogue and co-operation on how to implement this commitment through
concrete actions.

(1) http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/relm/gb/docs/gb286/pdf/esp-3.pdf.

(2004/C 33 E/049)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0542/03

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(26 February 2003)

Subject: Definition of ‘population’ (cid:1) Abortion

On the web site
lation_en.htm, the Commission offers the following strange definition of the term ‘population’:

found at http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/development/sector/social/popu-

to be

The term ‘population’ is an umbrella term now used to describe issues relating to demography and
reproductive and sexual health and rights. This can include issues such as contraception, abortion, safe
motherhood, early child care, gender-based and sexual violence, and sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs), including HIV/AIDS. ‘Population’ issues relate to men, women, adolescents and children.