91998E2034

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2034/98

by Marie-Noëlle Lienemann (PSE) to the Commission

(7 July 1998)

Subject: Reduction in working time

How is it possible for the Commission to recommend in its document COM(98) 279 on the broad guidelines of the economic policies of the Member States and the Community that "a compulsory and across-the-board reduction in working time ..(..).. may have adverse consequences and should therefore be avoided" when it knows that two Member States have already decided to introduce a 35-hour working week?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(22 September 1998)

The Commission has no intention of interfering in the policies of the Member States where these are purely a matter of national competence. It intends to abide by the principle of subsidiarity.

However, the Commission is the guardian of the Community interest, including as regards economic policy. The European Council and the Ecofin Council have called on it to secure greater coordination of economic policies so as to guarantee the success of the single currency and a significant increase in employment in the Community. It was with this aim in mind that the Commission drew up its 1998 recommendation on the broad guidelines of economic policy.

The Commission is therefore entitled to issue independent opinions on any economic policy initiatives which may have a marked effect on the Community economy as a whole or on the achievement of the objectives assigned to economic policy by Article 2 of the EC Treaty. A reduction in working time falls into that category. It is only natural therefore that the Commission should express its views on the matter, while abiding by the principle of subsidiarity.

The Commission takes the view that the reduction in working time must not adversely affect the competitiveness of European firms. However, it is true that this general principle is not incompatible with national initiatives which adapt the reduction in working time with the aim of maintaining European competitiveness.