Strasbourg, 30/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament has voted by 75 to 3 with 2 abstentions, in favour of a resolution urging Italy to take legislative, executive or administrative steps to observe the rights of EU nationals working as foreign language teachers in Italian universities. In the wake of a variety of procedures, Italy decided to adopt a law to amend creating discriminatory provisions in Italian law, whilst creating a special status for « lettori ». These are now pressing on with their efforts to be granted (1) certain accepted social rights (2) and the status of teacher.
During the debate Philippe Busquin recalled that this issue, which applies to over 700 people working in more than 25 universities, has gone on for longer than a decade. The EU Court of Justice had already issued three judgements against this background and the European Commission has taken step after step in a drive to improve the situation. An initial infringement proceeding was closed in 1995 after Italy adopted fresh legislation to remedy the situation in terms of freedom of movement and discrimination against EU nationals. Subsequent to a major information-gathering exercise, the Commission proceeded, in July 1999, to take further legal action over acquired rights and the case is still pending. Mr Busquin said that the Commission cannot countenance the demand for the status of teacher to be granted. « Freedom of moments implies a right of access, without discrimination, to professions, but does not give entitlement to a specific legal status, stressed the Commissioner.
"I agree with the Commission's attitude, said Giorgio Lisi (Forza Italia), stressing: « we want all citizens to have the same rights but they also have to observe the same rules ». Apparently there is a competition for individuals wishing to join the teaching profession in Italy so anybody wishing to be recognised as a teacher has to undergo the competition. Referring to the unlevel playing field that has existed for 12 years now, Bill Miller, a British Labour MEP, said the "lettori" were not seeking privileges, but just wanted to be treated the same as other teachers. He criticised the Commission for what he called its hypocrisy and for failing to settle the problem. "The Charter of fundamental rights is worthless if we are unable to enforce these rights in specific cases, said Mr MacCormick (Greens/EFA, British) underscoring that Italy is duty-bound to grant these people the status of teacher