WRITTEN QUESTION E-2339/03 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Relocation of the American Tool company away from Albergaria-a-Velha.
Date: 2003-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Portugal, cessation of trading, hand tool, transfer of businesses

C 58 E/158

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

As the Commission is not gathering data on this kind of incidents, it cannot state any correlation between
the increase in violent incidents and the increasing availability of flights at low prices. It is to note,
however, that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has confirmed that incidents of air rage
have increased by almost 500 % in the last half of the 1990s. According to IATA, this increase is due to
more people being able to travel as compared to the past where air journeys were for the privileged few.

The link to only cheap flights being used by youngsters seems not relevant, as air rage is the product of
several
factors, which unfortunately occasionally collide. Reasons may include excessive alcohol
consumption combined with a feeling of helplessness, both within the cabin and through being exposed
to long delays, as well as general psychological feelings of lost control due to the stress and anxiety certain
people feel when flying. Surprisingly, alcohol is not the main cause of air rage, with drunkenness only
accounting for 25 % of all incidents. Instead anxiety through delays, cramped conditions and restrictions
such as banned smoking are the leading causes.

The European airline companies have not brought to the attention of the Commission any data on
(general) denied boarding nor denied boarding because of over-consumption of alcohol. The only figures
available to the Commission are those included in the proposal for a Regulation of the Parliament and of
the Council establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to air passengers in the event of
denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights (1).

(1) OJ C 103 E, 30.4.2002.

(2004/C 58 E/171)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2339/03

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(16 July 2003)

Subject: Relocation of the American Tool company away from Albergaria-a-Velha

The multinational company American Tool has a factory in Albergaria-a-Velha, where it produces saws of
various types and other cutting tools. On 27 June 2003 it notified its workforce that it intends to close
down its operations in Portugal with effect from September, to which end it has already launched the
process which will result in the collective dismissal of all 74 of its employees.

In a letter to those employees the company has cited ‘reasons relating to technology and to the current
economic situation’ as grounds for closing its factory in Albergaria-a-Velha and relocating part of its
production to Denmark.

American Tool’s announcement has come as a complete surprise, since the company and the group to
which it belongs were not known to be in financial difficulty. In addition to its factory in Denmark, the
group has several plants in other EU countries, in particular Spain and Italy.

Would the Commission say whether or not the company has received EU support and, if so, how much?

Supplementary answer
given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 2003)

Following communications between the Commission and the Portuguese authorities, the latter confirm
that the company in question has never received assistance from the European Social Fund or from other
Community sources.