TONY Blair yesterday claimed that Britain now has the power to force France and Germany to open up to foreign workers and accept the European Union Services Directive against their will.And here I thought the European "social model" mostly involved a leisurely lunch. But now they're going to do battle over it before enshrining the definition. Sounds like bureaucratic heaven to me!
The Prime Minister told MPs that, far from losing a battle with Jacques Chirac over the directive, he has returned home with an agreement that it will be decided by a vote in the enlarged European Union.
He believes this means Britain can join forces with Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia to force their vision of a reformed Europe on France and Germany - representing a landmark defeat of "New Europe" over "Old Europe".
Reporting on what is expected to be his last EU summit ahead of the general election, Mr Blair told the Commons that he was prepared for a battle over the future of the European "social model", to be defined for all 25 member states.
"Some, notably France, believe this model should remain in its existing form. Some, like Britain, believe firmly in Europe’s social dimension but want it updated to take account of modern economic reality," he said.Ruh roh! Sounds like a steel cage match is coming. Break out the pork rinds!
Reports suggested that he had caved in to Mr Chirac’s demands, by agreeing to redraft the directive. But Mr Blair said: "Fortunately, the final decision will be by QMV [qualified majority voting]."
Mr Blair’s official spokesman said that at a dinner for heads of governments on Tuesday night, the Prime Minister became satisfied that he had enough support among the new members to win a vote.
"The opinion round the table was very much in our favour," said the spokesman.
When asked whether France and Germany would ever be forced to open their markets, he said: "It’s a Europe of 25, and it’s 25 who will decide."
In case this is all rather impenetrable, the real argument is the following:
The EU Services Directive would mean that people who work abroad can abide by the regulations of their home state, not their host country. The aim is to create a free market in services, as exists with goods at present.Still impenetrable? The idea is that a French company could hire an Eastern European worker and only pay the salary and benefits enshrined in law in his home country which would be rather cheaper than hiring a French worker. You can see why some knickers are nastily knotted.
This has alarmed France and Germany, who have high labour protection laws and have secured higher salaries for their workers. This, critics argue, makes companies reluctant to take on staff and explains unemployment rates of 10 per cent in France and 11 per cent in Germany.
