EU blacklisting law fails

Lib Dem members of the European Parliament have voted against a proposal which would have protected workplace safety reps from blacklisting and victimisation.

The leader of the Labour group in the European Parliament tabled an amendment to the Workplace Safety Directive designed “to prevent the victimisation, dismissal or the refusal of employment or ‘blacklisting’ of workers or their representatives.”

However, MEPs from centre-right parties came together with the Liberal Democrat MEPs to vote down the proposed amendment.

Brian Higgins, a blacklisted bricklayer, said this was “a kick in the teeth for honest workers prepared to take a stand to protect the lives of their workmates.”