EU ministers vote to act on blockades

19 May 1998

EU ministers vote to act on blockades

THE European Commission has won wider powers to demand member states take whatever action is necessary to remove cross-border trade obstacles during strikes and other disputes.

European Union ministers voted unanimously in favour of the new single-market legislation in response to incidents such as the recent French truckers strikes. These caused havoc to the transport of goods, including farm produce.

However, the agreement is a toned-down version of the Commissions proposals put forward last year after several states were concerned about protecting workers right to stage industrial action.

• Financial Times 19/05/98 page 2
• The Times 19/05/98 page 19