92003E0429

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0429/03

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(18 February 2003)

Subject: Promoting social dialogue and drawing up a statute for fishermen

In its resolution of 16 January 2003 on fisheries in international waters in the context of external action under the common fisheries policy, the European Parliament insisted on the need to guarantee the fundamental labour rights of all fishermen: fair pay, safety, proper rest periods, union representation, welfare benefits and collective negotiation of labour contracts. Parliament called on the Commission to promote greater social dialogue with a view to the creation of better-quality jobs and the drawing-up of a statute for fishermen which would take account of the specific characteristics of their occupation.

What measures will the Commission take to promote social dialogue in order to improve the quality of jobs in the fisheries sector and, possibly, draw up a statute for fishermen?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2003)

The situation of fishermen from third countries employed on board Community vessels has been examined by the social partners (Europêche (Association of National Organisations of Fishing Enterprises in the EU), the General Committee for Agricultural Cooperation in the EU (Cogeca-Fisheries) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF)) within the Sectoral Dialogue Committee on Sea Fishing with a view to drawing up a social clause to be included in fishing agreements with non-member countries.

The above social partners in the sea fishing sector adopted such a clause at their plenary meeting on 19 December 2001 and called on the Commission to insert it from now on in agreements it concludes with non-member countries.

The clause seeks to ensure that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work together with on-board living and working conditions similar to those enjoyed by EU fishermen apply automatically to fishermen from third countries employed on board Community vessels.

The Commission is intending to include the social clause agreed with the social partners systematically in all future negotiations on fisheries matters with non-member countries.

In addition, the above social partners meet regularly within the Sectoral Dialogue Committee set up by the Commission to carry out the work programme drawn up following the Commission Communication on The European social dialogue, a force for innovation and change(1) to contribute to the implementation of the Lisbon strategy.

(1) COM(2002) 341 final.