91998E0802

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0802/98 by André Laignel (PSE) to the Commission (26 March 1998)

Subject: Applying the 35-hour-week initiative throughout the European Union

Throughout the European Union, a reduction of the working week to 35 hours would clearly have a beneficial effect on employment, the quality of life of European citizens and equality of access to employment.

To that end, a clear and spontaneous undertaking by the Commission is essential. In what form and on what time scale does the Commission propose to act to harmonize social legislation in line with the best practice, particularly by establishing a legal working week of 35 hours in all countries of the European Union?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (14 May 1998)

The Commission believes that the best approach to issues relating to the modernisation of the organisation of work, including working time arrangements, is that set out in the Council Resolution of 15 December 1997 on the 1998 employment guidelines ((OJ C 30, 28.1.1998. )). These invite the social partners 'to negotiate, at the appropriate levels, agreements to modernize the organisation of work, including flexible working arrangements, with the aim of making undertakings productive and competitive and achieving the required balance between flexibility and security. Such agreements may for example, cover the expression of working time as an annual figure, the reduction of working hours, the reduction of overtime, the development of part-time working, lifelong training and career breaks'.

The Commission will continue to support efforts by the social parners, at all levels, to reach agreement on any or all of these issues as a means of attaining the goal of adaptability. However, other than ensuring the protection of the health and safety of workers in regard to the organisation of working time, it is not the Commission's intention to propose further statutory reductions in the average working week.