At the European Parliament's final plenary session before elections in June and in the midst of a deepening economic recession, the Czech Presidency of the EU is entrusted with bringing to a conclusion key legislation and coordinating Europe's response to the crisis. Liberal and Democrat MEPs voiced their criticism and concern in equal measure.

PRESS RELEASE
GUE/NGL Group in the EP

Strasbourg 05/05/2009

New telecoms legislation should respect citizens' rights and civil liberties

A compromise agreement between the European Commission, Council and Parliament on new far-reaching EU telecommunications legislation, including regulation of users' rights and data privacy, and which also includes a block of amendments tabled by the GUE/NGL group entitled "Citizens' rights amendments", was debated in the European Parliament this morning.

Strasbourg 05/05/09
The European Parliament today rejected a proposal by the European Commission to exclude self-employed drivers from the working time directive for drivers. The outcome of the vote, supported by the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF), came as a surprise.
Although a majority of members in the Committee of Social Affairs voted against the European Commission proposal, a majority of EPP and ALDE MEPs announced that they would vote in favour of the exclusion of self- employed drivers in plenary today. This was voted down by 25 votes (332-307).

The economic crisis which is hitting employment hard within the EU requires a strong European response adapted to the diverse situations within Member States and the varying employment conditions concerned. With this in mind the European Parliament during its plenary session in Strasbourg tomorrow will review the European globalisation adjustment fund. Despite warnings by the European Parliament the eligibility criteria, in place since the creation of the EGF in 2006, have proven too rigid whilst social policies multiply throughout Europe and unemployment continues to increase.