2.8.2008   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 197/9

Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Verwaltungsgerichtshof (Austria) lodged on 9 May 2005 — Dr. Susanne Gassmayr v Bundesministerin für Wissenschaft und Forschung

(Case C-194/08)

(2008/C 197/13)

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Verwaltungsgerichtshof

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicant: Dr Susanne Gassmayr

Defendant: Bundesministerin für Wissenschaft und Forschung

Questions referred

1.

1.

Does Article 11(1), (2) and (3) of Council Directive 92/85/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding (1) (OJ 1992 L 348, p. 1) have direct effect?

2.

If those provisions do have direct effect are they to be construed as meaning that there is a continued entitlement to payment of an allowance for on-call duty during periods in which expectant mothers are prohibited from working and/or during maternity leave?

3.

Does this apply, in any event, where a Member State decides on a system of continuation of ‘pay’ which in principle encompasses total income, with the exception, however, of so-called ‘extra emoluments’ based on tasks performed (contingent on performance of those tasks) (as listed in Paragraph 15 of the [Austrian] Law on salaries (Gehaltsgesetz, ‘GehG’) 1956), such as the allowance for on-call duty at issue here?

2.

If the aforementioned provisions do not have direct effect, are they to be transposed by the Member States in such a way that a woman worker who is not permitted to render on-call duties during periods in which expectant mothers are prohibited from working and/or during maternity leave is entitled to continue to be paid an allowance for such services?

(1)  OJ L 348, p. 1.