During the EP plenary session (23-26 October) in Strasbourg, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, expresses himself on the measures taken by the EP to combat harassment in the work place.

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

statement

Strasbourg

violence against women (T)

gender balance (T)

Statement by Antonio TAJANI, EP President on the measures taken by the EP to combat harassment in the work place: extracts

Title: Antonio TAJANI, EP President on the measures taken by the EP to combat harassment in the work place: extracts

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, There is a separate Committee which deals with complaints made by officials. The committee I could mention has sent out last year to all parliamentarian a series of documents about the struggle against sexual harassment of the sexual nature or other, so I remind you that this documentation has been sent out to all members, including those who are represented on the committee. I will inform the Parliament's bureau about all the necessary initiatives. We will be hearing from Mrs Morin Chartier who leads the group on the harassment and I will ensure that I have all of the necessary information anyone who has any evidence of any sexual harassment or other harassment should report the occurrence to this Committee who should carry out all the necessary enquiries.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, This Committee is led by Questor elected by the Parliament. I don't think that I should be any need therefore to ask external bodies . The ad hoc Committee chaired by a Questor elected by the Parliament should have that necessary powers within a sovereign Parliament to do that . So everything that has to be done will be done and it was absolutely unacceptable that incidents like this should take place in this House. I hoped that there should be a tiny number of cases of this nature, but I'm afraid we had quite a large number of reports. But even one case as far as I'm concerned is one case to many! When disciplinary measures have to be taken towards the colleague I'm sure you will be fully aware of my position on the role of women in European society, so I shall be absolutely un-flexible, I shall inflict the harshest punishment on any members who break the code and our rules. Thank you very much.