91998E2426

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2426/98

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Cultural policy as a source of job creation

On account of its socio-economic dimension the culture sector is a major factor in endogenous regional development which is capable of making a significant contribution to employment, both in regional economies and in private industry.

To date the sector has created 3,1 million jobs in the EU Member States (2,1 % of the total). Many of these culture-related jobs and activities provide essentially part-time or self-employed work and are highly vulnerable from the point of view of stability and sustainability.

Has the Commission any proposals to help improve the stability and sustainability of employment in the sector concerned?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(2 October 1998)

The 1998 employment guidelines, adopted by the Council on 15 December 1997(1) established specific objectives to be incorporated into the national employment plans drawn up by the Member States. This important step toward co-ordination of the Member States' employment policies within the framework of the European employment strategy is based on the four pillars of employability, entrepreneurship, adaptability and equal opportunities. The policy orientations are particularly relevant for sectors of employment such as the cultural sector in seeking to promote an enterprise culture and a business-friendly environment, to improve the skills and the work experience of the workforce, and to take into account the fact that current forms of employment are increasingly diverse.

In the communication "Community policies in support of employment"(2) submitted to the Cardiff European Council, the Commission has made specific reference to the employment potential of this sector. Moreover, under the terms of Article 128 (4) of the draft Amsterdam Treaty, the Community must take cultural aspects into account and must reconcile the inherent objectives of the measures taken with cultural objectives, in particular as regards respect for cultural diversity, the encouragement of creativity and cultural development and support for cultural co-operation and exchanges. In its communication on the first Community framework programme in support of culture (2000-2004), presented on 6 May 1998(3), the Commission proposes to ensure the integration of cultural aspects into Community action and policy under three headings, namely a legislative framework favourable to culture, the cultural dimension of support policies and culture in the Community's external relations.

(1) OJ C 30, 28.1.1998.

(2) COM(98) 354 final.

(3) COM(98) 266 final.