Dublin - Event Notice
Thursday January 01 1970

The EU Services Directive...A Race To The Bottom?

dublin | eu | event notice

Friday December 02, 2005 18:43

by pat c

Conference on EU Services Directive (December 6, Dublin)

I am posting this on Indymedia because I am opposed to The EU Services Directive - not as a supporter of Proinsias De Rossa. In light of the Irish Ferries developments this conference is indeed timely. However the time thats its being held at will prevent many from attending.

If you are a genuine activist and have disagreements past or present with Labour then please do not derail this event listing by raising off topic subjecs, the trolls will do that anyway.

Discuss the Directive and attend the conference if you can and suggest concrete ways in which ordinary trade unionists can oppose the neo liberals.

pat c

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Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa is holding a conference on the proposed EU Services Directive on the morning of Tuesday, 6th December, 9am - 1pm, at the European Parliament offices at Molesworth St. Dublin 2.

Conference on EU Services Directive (December 6, Dublin)

Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa is holding a conference on the proposed EU Services Directive on the morning of Tuesday, 6th December, 9am - 1pm, at the European Parliament offices at Molesworth St. Dublin 2.

Speakers will include Anne Van Lancker MEP(Socialists-Belgium), Rapporteur in the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee on the proposal, Peter McLoone (President, ICTU), Jack O'Connor (General-President SIPTU) and others (tbc).

The conference will assess the implications of the proposal for public services, workers' right and consumer protection and outline the changes that need to be made by the European Parliament, which is voting on the issue in mid-January, and by the Council of Ministers.

To register, please contact the Labour European Office at 01 - 874 6109, pderossa@europarl.eu.int.

Further details available at www.derossa.com and www.labour.ie

Comments (2 of 2)

SP on EU Services Directive

Fri Dec 02, 2005 19:19

Here is the latest (that I can find) statement by the SP on the Directive. (I cant give an exact link to this piece, everythin comes up as http://www.socialistparty.net/ )

Maybe others could post the positions of different organisations.

"Jack O'Connor also recently spoke about the EU services directive (which is being championed by former Minister of Finance Charlie McCreevy) that will allow employers "to transport workers from one end of the EU to the other and impose the 'going rate' in the member state with the poorest conditions applicable". The neo-liberal agenda, to privatise our public services, dismantle the welfare state, to drive down wages and introduce "flexible" working conditions and attacks on pension rights is being pursued by multinational companies and governments all over the world.

Governments across Europe have gone further down the road in implementing this agenda, but their vicious attacks are being resisted by millions. The rejection of the EU constitution in France and Holland was a rejection of neo-liberalism. The failure of Schroeder's Social Democrats or Merkel's CDU to gain a majority in the German elections was another rejection of this agenda. Major strike movements have taken place in France, Spain, Greece, Germany and most recently Belgium, which despite its right-wing union leaders support for "social partnership" had a general strike in October. "

SF on Directive

Fri Dec 02, 2005 19:34

This seems to be the latest SF stance.

"Mary Lou McDonald MEP has today expressed her 'deep dissatisfaction with the politics and policies of Charlie McCreevy' and said that he was 'promoting an EU which advocated social dumping.'

Ms McDonald made her comments after Commissioner McCreevy was 'invited' to address the European Parliament this morning regarding controversial remarks he made regarding Sweden's social model.

Ms McDonald is due to meet with Mr McCreevy later today and will raise the issue with him, as well as the Irish Ferries dispute and the EU Services Directive.

Speaking today Ms McDonald said:

"Today Mr McCreevy confirmed our worst suspicions that the EU will oversee the undermining of social protections and workers rights. Little wonder that the Irish Trade Union movement is reluctant to re-enter partnership talks. "