Why Labour is important for farm workers in the south west,
By Glyn Ford MEP
As we gear up for the European Elections on
June 4, when people talk about the agricultural sector and Europe,
what comes to most peoples' minds is farm subsidies. As a Labour
MEP for the South West, I appreciate how important the farming
sector is, especially in relation to the number of people employed.
In the South West over 76,000 people work in the agricultural
sector ranging from full time, part time and seasonal workers. Also
there are a high number of people that come from other European
Union countries that work in the agricultural sector too.
Ever since 1997, Labour has worked closely with the European Union
to ensure workers rights, this was reflected by signing the Social
Chapter of the European Treaty. The treaty brought in a raft of
laws protecting workers and improving social conditions at work,
including limiting the length of the working week, ensuring four
weeks holiday pay, and very importantly especially in relation to
the agricultural sector, measures to give part time workers the
same rights as full time workers. Through the EU, laws have been
introduced outlawing discrimination at work on the grounds of age,
race, religion, sexual orientation and disability. These laws were
actively called upon on by Labour MEPs.
Another initiative that has enabled workers rights that originated
from the EU, is the European Works Council, which have ensured
proper procedures for consulting workers, and health and safety
laws that protect workers from noise and vibrations. This is of
great relevance to farm workers given the widespread use of heavy
agricultural machinery.
More recently Labour MEPs have campaigned for EU laws that have
granted many of the same rights regarding pay and conditions to
temporary workers as their permanent colleagues receive, after 12
weeks in the job. This EU law will positively enhance farm workers
rights given the seasonal nature of many workers.
Even after having gained these achievements I and my Labour
colleagues continue to fight for further reforms. Our next battle
is to reform the Posted Workers Directive and over turn some of the
European Court of Justice Rulings concerning Viking, Laval* and
other detrimental cases. In which the principle of free movement of
labour is being exploited by unscrupulous bosses. Unfortunately
many foreigner workers in the farming sector have been hired at
exploitative wages, and made to work in conditions, which local
workers would not tolerate. I with Stephen Hughes MEP, along with
support from UNITE, have introduced a written declaration in the
European Parliament, raising awareness of the consequences of these
recent decisions by the European Court of Justice, and how they
have seriously undermined workers’ rights across the European
Union. What has been worrying is the exploitation of this situation
by unscrupulous right-wing groups to promote racism and xenophobia
in Britain. As seen by demonstrations against 'foreign workers',
rather than against 'unequal treatment' which has been the
consequence of the ECJ decision.
While the battle continues concerning the Working Time Directive, I
and many of my colleagues voted against Britain's continuous opt
out in the European Parliament. Farm workers from the South West
should not have to be made to work long hours to the detriment of
their health and family life.
Thus I urge you to vote in the June 4 European Elections for
Labour, so that an effective number of Labour MEPs are returned to
the European Parliament, so that I and my colleagues can work with
unions such as UNITE to continue to fight for positive
changes!
* see Unite petition campaign www.lavalvikingruffert.eu
