WRITTEN QUESTION E-0612/04 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Support for Portuguese students studying for a master's degree.
Date: 2004-03-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, Portugal, democratisation of education, education grant, student mobility

C 84 E/636

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.4.2004

(2004/C 84 E/0715)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0607/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(27 February 2004)

Subject: Seasonal work

The freedom of movement within the EU has been providing EU citizens looking for work with a great
degree of mobility. Today, thousands of workers emigrate in order to take advantage of job shortages in
seasonal work sectors, particularly in agriculture.

Through the press and workers’ associations, I frequently hear of situations in which seasonal workers
have been recruited under false pretences and find themselves facing unacceptable working and living
conditions, without any legal or social protection.

Given that this situation has existed for many years, is there any Community legislation to regulate work
of this kind? What measures has the Commission been taking or does it intend to take to protect the rights
and interests of seasonal workers?

Answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission

(7 April 2004)

Community legislation governing working conditions applies in the same way to seasonal workers as to
other workers.

Depending on the precise context in which a seasonal worker is employed, he will be covered either by the
provisions of Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996
concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (1), or by Article 7 of
Regulation (EEC) No 1612/68 of the Council of 15 October 1968 on freedom of movement for workers
within the Community (2).

(1) OJ L 18, 21.1.1997.
(2) OJ L 257, 19.10.1968.

(2004/C 84 E/0716)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0612/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 March 2004)

Subject: Support for Portuguese students studying for a master’s degree

In Portugal and in other EU countries, the European master’s degree in Social Sciences and Education is
being developed under the heading of European social inclusion prospects.

This pioneering scheme, which involves seven universities from Portugal, Germany, the UK, Sweden,
Hungary and Romania, is supported by the Socrates programme.

The way in which the modules are drawn up requires the mobility of students and teachers between the
universities of the different countries, but without including specific subsidies for the students. De facto
mobility is only guaranteed for teachers. But the fact is that the different circumstances obtaining in each
country make it practically impossible for Portuguese students to take modules at other universities, where
the master’s degree is even free of charge, unlike Portugal, where it is extremely expensive, despite the
difficult economic and social situation of most Portuguese families and indeed of
the universities
themselves.

Will the Commission inform me as to possible measures and supports for the mobility of students taking
this master’s degree, with specific reference to the situation in Portugal?

3.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 84 E/637

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2004)

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that Erasmus rules on mobility for
students and teachers who undertake part of their studies abroad apply not only to degree courses but also
to Master’s courses.

The Honourable Member refers to the circumstances of Portuguese students studying for a Master’s degree
organised by several European universities, including a university in Portugal. In this case we need to know
whether the university in question is an Erasmus Charter institution, a status conferred on universities
which fulfil the conditions for participating in the Socrates/Erasmus programme. If it is, these students
should be eligible for an Erasmus grant to undertake part of their studies abroad.

In order to be able to give a more precise answer concerning this case, the Commission would need
further information on the universities concerned, and perhaps the title and number of the project.

(2004/C 84 E/0717)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0613/04

by Glenys Kinnock (PSE) to the Commission

(1 March 2004)

Subject: Burma

Would the Commission give details of its position on Burma’s ‘Road Map’ for democracy?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 2004)

The Commission has taken note of the roadmap for the transition to democracy presented by Prime
Minister Khin Nyunt in August 2003.

While the Commission appreciates that the Burmese Government has been willing to present its plans for
the
the transition to democracy,
Commission views as key requisites for achieving lasting national reconciliation. The first of
these
requisites is that all legitimate stakeholders, political parties and ethnic nationalities, should be included in
the political process.

there are aspects which are not mentioned in the Roadmap that

This calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all National League
for Democracy (NLD) members, the release of political prisoners and freedom for all political groups and
parties to exercise their political activities, without preconditions.

(2004/C 84 E/0718)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0614/04

by Harlem Désir (PSE) to the Commission

(1 March 2004)

Subject: Closure of the 280-employee DHL site at Blanc Mesnil (France)

At the start of 2004, news was leaked to the 280 employees of the small-package carrier DHL France
(a subsidiary of the European consortium Deutsche Post World Net [DPWN]) that the DHL site at Blanc
Mesnil was to close and that a total of 1 200 jobs at several centres in France would be lost.