Language discrimination - inquiry into the recruitment of native speakers

20.9.2002

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2764/02
by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE)
to the Commission

According to its answer to Written Question E-0941/02[1], the European Commission acknowledges that the phrase ‘native speaker’ ‘is not acceptable, under any circumstances’; under Community law’. On the other hand, the Commission does not want to prohibit the use of the term in job advertisements. Furthermore, it wants to use its powers to fight against any discrimination ‘caused by a requirement for “native speaker” knowledge in job advertisements’. At the same time, it recommends using a phrase such as ‘perfect or very good knowledge of a particular language’.

 

1. Is the Commission aware that the simple replacement of one phrase by another does nothing to resolve the substantive problem?

 

2. Is it also aware that most employers looking for a native speaker – while not admitting it explicitly – in fact only invite native speakers to apply?

 

3. Has the Commission already conducted an investigation into this phenomenon?

 

 (a) If not, why not? Does it intend to make this form of discrimination into the subject of an investigation?

 

 (b) If so, what were the findings of the investigation, and what conclusions may be drawn therefrom with regard to policy proposals?

• [1]  OJ C

OJ C 92 E, 17/04/2003