NEWS RELEASE
16 February 2006 For immediate release
STUC hails major victory for European workers
The STUC regards the result of the European Parliament vote on the Services Directive as a real victory for European workers. The Parliament has today approved, by a large majority, the compromise reached by the main political groups which buries the initial Bolkestein proposal.
Stephen Boyd, STUC Assistant Secretary, said,
"This vote shows that MEPs have succeeded in finding a workable compromise that opens up the services market whilst safeguarding the European social model. Trade unions will continue to campaign to consolidate this progress and achieve further improvements".
The majority of European trade union demands have been met:
· Sensitive sectors such as temporary work agencies and private security services are excluded; · Fundamental rights to collective bargaining and action are respected; · Services of general interest and some services of general economic interest, such as healthcare, are excluded; and, · The country of origin principle has been abolished, enabling Member States to exercise better supervision and apply rules to protect the public interest. · ENDS
Contact
Stephen Boyd 0141 337 8100