Brussels, 24/10/2006
As a result, IMCO has not fully respected the agreement made in the European Parliament at the first reading. The European People's Party (EPP) and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) members rejected, among others, amendments for clearer exclusion of labour law and social services, and clearer respect for fundamental rights.
The ETUC is asking the European Parliament and other European institutions, the Council and the Commission, which are responsible for the final legislative decision, to find a way to improve the Directive in respect of these issues of major importance for trade unions.
John Monks, ETUC General Secretary, stated: “If we want to be sure of the support of European workers, we must make sure that fundamental rights and labour law are not threatened by internal market rules.”