Nieuws van de afdeling

30 November 2007

Europe to enforce liberalisation of laws on unfair dismissal

The European Parliament yesterday voted in favour of the European Commission's so-called 'Flexicurity' programme. The programme's aim is to bring about the further deregulation of labour law and the labour market in Europe. SP Euro-MP Kartika Liotard fears that Dutch Employment Minister Piet Hein Donner will find encouragement in the vote for the forcing through of his own plans to undermine national laws protecting workers from unfair dismissal. “It's disturbing that the Social Democrats of the so-called 'Socialist' group, including our own Labour Party (PvdA) voted in favour of the proposals for deregulisation. It will be difficult for them to oppose similar plans from the Employment Minister."

30 November 2007

Labour's two faces: against weakening unfair dismissal rights in The Hague, in favour of it in Strasbourg

Employment Minister Piet Hein Donner, whose plan for so-called 'liberalisation' of national laws protecting workers from unfair dismissal was recently rejected in parliament, must now reject similar plans brought forward under the European Commission's 'flexicurity' programme, designed to make the labour market more 'flexible'. SP Member of Parliament and employment spokesman Paul Ulenbelt, in calling on Donner to reflect the will of the Dutch people's elected representatives when he represents the country in the EU's Council of Ministers, insists that a law thrown out by parliament must not be allowed to sneak in through the back door via European Union legislation.

26 November 2007

Trade agreements: "disguised recolonisation of developing countries"

SP Member of Parliament and development policy spokesman Ewout Irrgang has asked the government to call a halt to the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) which the European Union is seeking to conclude with the former colonies of its member states. The FTAs, which the EU wants signed before the end of the year, will be devastating for the economies of these countries, Irrgang argues.

24 November 2007

SP National Congress: “strengthen the foundations”

Socialist Party, now biggest opposition group, prepares for government

19 November 2007

Netherlands must act against hunting of protected whales

Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen must summon the new Japanese ambassador to protest against his country's stepping up of whale hunting, says SP Member of Parliament Krista van Velzen. Under the guise of 'scientific research', Japan is to resume hunting of the seriously endangered humpback whale.

16 November 2007

Refusal of access to OSCE election observers shows Russia's true face

“By refusing observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) access to parliamentary elections scheduled for 2nd December, Russia is revealing its true, undemocratic face," says SP Member of Parliament and foreign affairs specialist Harry van Bommel. Van Bommel would have been a participant in an OSCE mission which the organisation has now cancelled under pressure from the Russians.

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