Watch your job

Xan · 30-01-2009, 11:26

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7859968.stm

**Chris** · 30-01-2009, 11:51

Why, what's it doing?

Pierre · 30-01-2009, 11:56

No need,

As far as I know my job was not advertised, and there hasn't been a competitive tendering process, which hasn't been won legitimately by an Italian contractor.

But as soon as it is, I'll let you know.

**Chris** · 30-01-2009, 12:02

Nor mine. I'm at a loss to understand what the Unions are agitating for here. They say they want the right to have the opportunity to work. They do have that right. And the employer also has the right not to give that work to a group of people it believes to be less competitive.

Our Trades Unions also tend to be pro-Europe, pro-Euro and basically pro-anything that comes out of Brussels and is a perceived advantage to their cause (such as the working time directive). But when Europe turns round and bites them on the bum, they're the first to start moaning. I presume they understand that barring Italians from taking contracts in the UK would require the UK to derogate from huge chunks of its commitment to the EU?

In any case, isn't a lot of what's going on today perilously close to secondary action, which is illegal?

**Damien** · 30-01-2009, 12:13

I agree with Chris here, it's a free market and the employer can chose who they give their business too. You can't protest your way into a job, especially not one from a private company

Osem · 30-01-2009, 12:26

I've been listening to some of the coverage of this dispute on the radio and think that if the companies concerned are deliberately using foreign labour when there are local people just as (if not better) able to do the work then it's quite unfair. It's probably all down to saving money however.

I wonder how the BBC's journalists would respond if their employers decided to save the licence payer some cash by bringing in cheaper EU staff...

Russ · 30-01-2009, 12:29

People might (rightly IMO) feel there's a moral duty to see jobs go to UK companies first but it seems like others need to realise that tendering jobs is (and has been for many years) a tried and tested method for business growth and also 100% legal.

LondonRoad · 30-01-2009, 12:33

Isn't this what free market economics within the ECC is about?

Pierre · 30-01-2009, 12:38

I suppose we are striving to become more European, and we've started by thinking that we're French.

Osem · 30-01-2009, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by harmitage

Isn't this what free market economics within the ECC is about?

I guess that depends on whether you live/work in a country which abides by EU rules or just ignores them.

30-01-2009, 14:32

Hey i am all for free market as longs as it applies in every area but as it doesn't for us in the UK jobs in british facilities should go to british workers and we do of course have our valiant pm who feels the same way as he said. I have a lot of sympathy with good men that simply want to work and have a job although i might disagree with they way they try and do it. I am completely biased against unions so wouldn't be fair to comment on their involvement in this but as usual i suspect it more a case of projecting power on their behalf more then doing whats right for the men and women in this case.

**Damien** · 30-01-2009, 14:36

It's a private company so it's their decision. What do they want to happen, the Government to force them to use British labour? It's protectionism and it's does not work.

piggy · 30-01-2009, 16:14

we are in a economic depression it is time to close ranks and look after ourselves first. if the plant was located in france/italy then im opinion the contract would have been awarded to the local workforce.

30-01-2009, 16:29

I'm sure a bit of protectionism at times like this isn't going to bring down the world and a lot of countries are talking in terms of protectionism so why not us.

**Chris** · 30-01-2009, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

I'm sure a bit of protectionism at times like this isn't going to bring down the world and a lot of countries are talking in terms of protectionism so why not us.

For several reasons, two immediately spring to mind:

1. Because it can turn round and bite you on the bum. If you slap trade tariffs on imports from a certain country, then you can expect retaliatory tariffs on your exports to that country.
2. Because within the EU it's illegal. People often complain that they voted for the Common Market, not the wide-ranging European Union we now have. If that's the case, then surely the one thing all but the most hardened Euro-separatists must agree on is that the principles of a common market should be upheld in bad times as well as good?