Port liberalisation cancelled

After a week of violent clashes between dockworkers and police the European Parliament voted on Wednesday to throw out plans to liberalise port services.

The vote was an overwhelming 542 against, 120 in favour and 25 abstentions.

Dockers objected to plans to liberalise cargo handling and piloting services, and allow in seamen to carry out work at ports.

Protestors injured several police officers and caused millions pounds worth of damage to buildings.

The European Commission, which failed in 2003 to liberalise port services via another directive, pledged to look at the directive again and come up with revised proposals.

Critics says that European port services, many of which are state-owned, are already highly efficient, therefore liberalising them would not necessarily introduce more efficiency.

However, supporters of the bill said it was a ‘fatal blow’ for Europe.