THE CLAIM by Socialist Party MEP Joe Higgins that the Lisbon Treaty will undermine workers rights and public services was challenged by Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Labour Affairs last night .
Mr Higgins has argued that the treaty will erode workers’ rights and promote a market aimed at the interests of corporations and business alone, notwithstanding the guarantees given to the Government at the conclusion of the European Council in June.
But Mr Calleary said claims made by Mr Higgins and by others campaigning for a No vote in the referendum, scheduled for early October, were simply untrue.
“Among the stated aims of the treaty are ‘the promotion of a social market economy, full employment, the fight against social exclusion, the promotion of justice and social protection’,” said Mr Calleary.
“Anyone who reads the treaty will be left in no doubt that it seeks to strengthen, not weaken, the rights of workers.”
He said Irish workers had benefited enormously from the EU in over 35 years of membership, including the guarantee of equal pay for equal work.
“Moreover, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which will be given legal status under the Lisbon Treaty, significantly advances the protection of workers’ rights in terms of collective bargaining and action,” he said.
His Fianna Fáil colleague Brian Crowley, an MEP for the South constituency, claimed yesterday that the treaty would also advance the social policy agenda.
In a separate statement, also addressing issues raised by Mr Higgins, he said: “If someone is in favour of strengthening the rights of workers, then a Yes vote for the Lisbon Treaty on October 2nd next is the right step to take.
“The EU has promoted a very strong social policy agenda by implementing new laws which promote equality in the workplace, better working conditions and higher safety standards in the workplace,” he said.
Labour’s spokesman on Europe Joe Costello yesterday said the treaty was the most democratic of all EU treaties.
“It reforms the EU institutions and it invites national parliaments to play an active role in the framing of policy and legislation,” Mr Costello said
