91998E1425

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1425/98

by Karin Jöns (PSE) to the Commission

(11 May 1998)

Subject: Proposals on certain employment relationships

In Official Journal C 40 of 7 February 1998 the Commission announced that it was withdrawing the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive on certain employment relationships with regard to distortions of competition, although not all the elements contained in the proposal were to be covered by Community rules.

1. Will the Commission state the reasons that led it to withdraw the above proposal?

2. What steps does the Commission intend to take to make those elements of the proposal which remain unregulated subject to rules?

3. Does the Commission share the view that, particularly with regard to social protection, Community rules on part-time work, fixed-term employment and temporary work should be sought as a matter of urgency, so as to ensure non-discrimination vis-à-vis permanent full-time employment?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(6 July 1998)

1. The proposal concerning distortions of competition was on the table of the Council for more than seven years. It was clear from the discussion at Council level that this proposal had no chance of ever being adopted by the Council.

2. There is still on the table of the Council a proposal for a directive on certain employment relationships with regard to working conditions based on Article 100 of the EC Treaty(1). Social partners have embarked on negotiations on fixed-term contracts as a follow-up of their agreement on part-time.

3. The Commission will await the outcome of the debate on non-standard employment contracts before considering any further action.

(1) OJ C 224, 8.9.1990.