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2/14/06

Reuters.co.uk: Top trade unionist backs EU services deal

Reuters

Top trade unionist backs EU services deal

STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - A top labour leader urged European Union lawmakers on Tuesday to back a compromise deal and open the giant services sector to cross-border competition, defying calls from his own ranks to scrap the bill.

Thousands of trade unionists converged on Strasbourg to demonstrate against the legislation proposed by the European Commission, which they fear will undermine western European jobs and social standards by letting in low-cost east European firms. Polish union Solidarity has sent 200 members to the French city to join a march that was due to end with music and speeches within earshot of the EU assembly as it debated the bill from 3 p.m. (1400 GMT). "Solidarnosc is for the directive, but we don't want it to lower social standards for workers," Stefan Kubowicz, a regional chairman at the union told Reuters.

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