91997E2227

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2227/97 by Frode Kristoffersen (PPE) to the Council (18 July 1997)

Subject: Sexual harassment in the workplace

Does the Council consider the Commission's announced plans to initiate EU legislation on the degree and scale of sexual harassment in the workplace in individual Member States to be in keeping with the principle of subsidiarity?

Answer (10 November 1997)

On 19 March 1997 the Commission sent the social partners a text on sexual harassment in the workplace for a second stage of consultation. This means that to date the Council has not received any proposal from the Commission.

It is understood that the Council will examine any legislative proposal on the subject in compliance with Article 3b of the EC Treaty concerning the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as well as the provisions of the Social Agreement, in particular Article 2(1) thereof, which mentions, among other fields of competence, equality between men and women regarding job opportunities and treatment at work.

It should also be noted that under the Amsterdam Treaty the Social Agreement is to be incorporated into the Treaty establishing the European Community.