Brussels, 08/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Committee on the Internal Market of the European Parliament is to hold a hearing on 11 November on the proposed directive on services in the internal market ("Bolkestein directive"). At a preliminary debate within the Committee this August, German Social Democrat Evleyn Gebhardt, the Parliament's rapporteur on this important issue, said that she was in favour of a directive on services, as long as it is worded in such a way as to ensure that consumers and businesses meet in the middle and that the security of workers and businesses was safeguarded. In her working document, Ms Gebhardt posed a range of questions, focussing on such issues as: the scope of the directive. The rapporteur points out that the proposal covers services in general, except those for which specific initiatives already exist (financial services, transport and telecomms), but that grey areas exist: for example, for financial services, she asks whether or not pension funds and insurance services are excluded; -the issue of overlap with other directives. Ms Gebhardt has identified at least three other directives which could come into conflict with the "Bolkestein directive", those on seconded workers (especially in the construction trade), public procurement (adopted in 2003) and the recognition of qualifications; -the principle of country of origin. Ms Gebhardt points out: in appeals on services coming from another country, the legislation of the country of origin of the company providing the services should be applied. But what legislation exactly, she asked. That on consumer protection and the environment, or on workers? -Liberal professions. Will these all be subject to the same regime?, she asked; -treatment reserved for part time work. The rapporteur was surprised about the place accorded to "the gaming industry" in the directive. I have looked into national legislation, she said, and I have concerns about the application of the country of origin rule in this field. She quoted the example of Scandinavian countries, where the money earned by these establishments can go to finance political parties, which would be "totally unthinkable in Germany".
The hearing of the Committee on the Internal Market will spend the morning looking at: cross-cutting aspects of the directive; -economic aspects, with Jim Murray from the European Consumers' Organisation; the country of origin rule; -the possibility of a framework directive on services of general interest (SGIs). In the afternoon, employment issues will be on the agenda, with Catalene Passchier of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), and Philippe de Buck of the European employers' association (Unice).