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ITF heralds rejection of second ports package
18 January 2006
The ITF has welcomed the European Parliament’s overwhelming rejection of a second attempt to liberalise port services.
The European Parliament voted today to put a halt to the Ports Services Directive by 532 votes in favour; 120 MEPs voted against throwing out the directive and 25 abstained.
Commenting on the result, Frank Leys, Secretary of the ITF Dockers Section, said: "This is a massive rejection. Chalk one up to common sense, to committed opposition by trade unions, and to virtually the whole industry uniting in the rejection of the package. But even as we congratulate ourselves and thank our colleagues worldwide for their support, we must remain vigilant. You never know when the next attempt to turn the industry on its head may come."
The vote follows a series of successful demonstrations across Europe, the most recent on 16 January, during which 6000 dockers from 16 European countries voiced their protest against the proposal in Strasbourg, France. They feared the proposals would impact on jobs, working conditions, health and safety and the quality of port services in Europe.
The role of dockers and their unions was also pivotal in the downfall of the first port liberalisation package in November 2003.
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