CYPRUS is one of several EU countries that have asked for changes to the Bolkestein directive that governs the deregulation of services in the internal market, the government said yesterday.
In the morning yesterday, trade unions staged a half-hour work stoppage between 11.30am and noon to protest against the directive, which comes up for a vote at the European Parliament in Strasbourg tomorrow.
Government Spokesman George Lillikas said Cyprus had lodged its opposition to the directive as it stands, because he said it could cause numerous social problems.
The draft directive applies to all services offered to companies and consumers, ranging from advertising, recruitment, including employment agencies, to trade, cleaning services and construction, but with the exception of certain transport sectors, telecommunications, financial services and services directly offered by the government at no charge.
The European Commission says that by encouraging cross-border economic activity and boosting competition, the directive would increase choice, improve quality and bring down prices.
But the unions say Bolkestein would allow a company that has its headquarters in one EU member-state to set up shop in another, without being required to follow the laws, agreements or practice existing in the country it is offering its services.
Ôrade unions representing workers from all sectors of the economy said yesterday the protest was to send the message that Cypriot workers objected to directives and policies which aimed at further deregulating labour markets and undermined their vested rights.
“We react because the proposed directive aims at liberalising the provision of services, affecting already acquired rights and national legislation and creating conditions of competition among workers by providing labour with lower salaries and less benefits,” a joint statement from the island’s 10 largest unions said.
Lillikas said that while there were a number of EU member states that would like to see the directive shelved completely, Cyprus was among a group of member states pushing for improvements.
“I believe that after discussions at the European Parliament it will be returned to the Council of Ministers, which will see the modifications that have been suggested by the Parliament,” said Lillikas. “If we agree with these modifications, we will support the directive, but if not we will maintain our objections.”
In full support of the unions is House President and AKEL leader Demetris Christofias. Deputies and House staff were among those to down tools during yesterday’s half-hour strike.
Christofias described the directive as “an expression of the neoliberal policy followed by the higher echelons of the European Union and the new order”.
“I want to stress in the most emphatic way that I congratulate the workers for their solidarity and hope that this anti-worker directive does not pass in the European Parliament.”
