Parliamentary questions
WRITTEN QUESTION E-1364/03
by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission
(02 April 2003)

Subject: Exploitation of Community citizens by the Vatican City State

In view of the fact that:

- the Vatican City State receives around EUR 9 million per year (EUR 6 million in 2002 and EUR 12 million in the Jubilee year) from the sale of gifts and souvenirs;

- around fifty European citizens of Italian nationality are employed in the sale of these articles;

- these people work on commission on the basis of an "oral contract" for percentages that vary from 2-3% to 8-10% and for between 8 and 10 hours every day, with a 30-minute break for lunch. At the end of the day, after having loaded away the goods and emptied the cash boxes, for which they are jointly responsible, they are paid cash in hand;

- this has been going on since 1976;

- despite the undertakings made to regularise their situation, a private company is soon to be made responsible for managing their stalls, and would immediately "regularise" the position of these "clandestine" workers by depriving them of any rights;

- in the eyes of the Italian Republic these people are unemployed, and therefore benefit from public services, including health care;

What action will the EU take with regard to a State which is exploiting Community citizens?

E-1364/03EN
Answer given by Mr Patten
on behalf of the Commission
(16 May 2003)

The current legal instruments at the Commission’s disposal make no provision for Community action in situations similar to those described in the written question.

The Commission will transmit a copy of the written question and the corresponding Commission reply to the Mission of the Holy See to the Union Institutions for its information and follow-up as appropriate.