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 financing, Portugal, cessation of trading, offshoring

C 33 E/254

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

In his letter sent on 18 July to the President of the Commission, Mr Prodi, the Chancellor, Mr Gerhard
Schröder, also gave his personal commitment that the German Government will not tolerate any further
transitional period going beyond the deadline of 1 October 2003.

In view of the above, on 23 July 2003, President Prodi replied to Chancellor Schröder. He expressed his
continued concerns on the current application of the German mandatory deposit system. In particular, in
view of the system’s effects on Union imports, on the one hand he asked the Chancellor to consider the
possibility of suspending the deposit regime in its current form, until a nation-wide return system covering
the entire German territory is operational. On the other hand, he indicated that the Commission will have
to initiate infringement procedures against Germany if, by 1 October 2003, no return system in
compliance with Community law is set up.

(1) OJ L 365, 31.12.1994.

(2004/C 33 E/262)

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?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(29 August 2003)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its
findings as soon as possible.

(2004/C 33 E/263)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2342/03

by Paul Rübig (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(16 July 2003)

Subject: Construction workers’ social security fund run by the autonomous province of Bozen (Cassa Edile

Provincia Autonoma Bolzano); payments by foreign construction firms

The Austrian firm Strabag AG has complained that Austrian construction firms which post workers to the
autonomous province of Bozen, Italy, are required to make payments to the construction workers’ social
security fund run by that province even though the Austrian firms make essentially the same payments in
Austria, in accordance with the law on construction workers’ holidays and pay and the general law on
social security.