Brussels, 06/04/2006 (Agence Europe) - A press release has indicated that the European Commission sent a Reasoned Opinion to Italy on Wednesday concerning the country's incorrect implementation of a 2004 judgment of the Court of Justice (ECJ) on transposing into Italian law the provisions of the 96/97 Directive. This directive gradually allows fore the opening up of the market of ground handling services such as passenger check-in, baggage handling and aircraft refuelling at airports. It also allows Member States to take measures to protect the rights of workers, but these must not prevent the “effective application” of the directive. In its 2004 judgment, the Court of Justice ruled that the provisions in the Italian law transposing the Community directive goes against the directive's intention. The provisions in question stipulate that newcomers entering the market are obliged to take over staff inasmuch as they gain business from the incumbent discourages them from entering the market. This subsequently limits the benefits of the directive such as reduced prices and improved quality of service. As Italy has since then not fully complied with this ruling of the Court, the Commission has given the country two months to comply. If it fails to do so, the Commission could take the case back to the ECJ.