Irish ferries workers to sink bolkestein

by Indymedia Ireland Editorial Group - Indymedia Ireland Wed Dec 07, 2005 18:05

What is Bolkestein, who is reporting this, etc. just a paragraph will do please. OtherPress is supposed to be where you write a short summary and add the link at the bottom. If it's not worth your time and effort writing two sentences then it's not worth your time posting it. Thanks. 1 of IMC Ireland Editorial

by pat c Wed Dec 07, 2005 18:14

its about the bolkestein directive. the article is worth reading. it emphasies that the workers are not objecting to immigrant workers, just that its about decent working conditions.

"Dermot Meagher, another officer on the ship, said that morale was high. “We are prepared to stay as long as it takes,” he said. “Some of our shop stewards are locked in the engine room. But they are in constant contact and are in good spirits. They have enough supplies to last them a long time.

“We have no objection to any nationality working here — but they must be paid properly and given proper conditions. All the solidarity we can get is crucial.”"

Heres an extract from the Bolkestein site:

"At the instigation of the former European Commissioner Frits Bolkenstein (a Dutch liberal), a draft directive (European law) on the free circulation of services within the European Union is currently under discussion.

If adopted, this European directive would result in the merchandisation of all services within the Union. This would mean that essential sectors such as culture, education, health care and all services relating to national social welfare systems could be exposed to the same forms of economic competition as commercial goods.

This merchandisation would inevitably lead to the deterioration of pension systems, social welfare and health care cover in favour of private insurance. It would also entail the deregulation of our education systems and the end of any kind of cultural exception."

Full details about Bolkestein at the link below.