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St. Valentine's Day Jobs Massacre – Stop the EU Services Directive!

Tuesday 14th February 2006, Central Library in Foyle Street, Derry

On 14th February – Valentine’s Day – the European Parliament is to vote on the controversial Services Directive. The SEA in Derry is holding a meeting on the same day---7.30 to 9.00pm in the Central Library---to give people more information on what the Directive could mean for them and discuss ways of responding.

The aim of the EU Services Directive is to introduce free-market competition to all services being provided within the EU. All services are to be treated equally whether they involve brain surgery or bungee jumping. Under the Directive’s "country of origin" principle, the providers of these services would be able to apply the laws of the country they come from---rather than the laws of the country they are operating in.

So the pay and conditions of one country could be brought into another country---creating a "race to the bottom" in terms of pay and conditions of employment.

The proposed Services Directive aims to cover a wide range of commercial services, from architects and travel agents to car rental forms and, more ominously, employment agencies, health care and other public services.

This will allow companies registered in EU member States with low labour standards to undercut the higher standards secured by workers in other member States. The Directive would also allow an Irish or British company to set up in a low-standards member State---and then return to operate in Ireland with these lower standards. If not stopped, it could lead to a jobs and pay massacre.

We all need to get up to speed on this, and plans ways of defending jobs, wages and working conditions.

Come along to the Central Library and hear what the Services Directive could mean for Derry.

Central Library, Foyle Street, 7.30pm. All welcome.





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