EMPLOYMENT: 'THE SINGLE MARKET IS AN EMINENTLY SOCIAL TOOL', SAYS VLADIMIR SPIDLA.

• Position: Interview

Do you believe that temporary clauses restricting the free movement of workers from the new member states should be lifted?

Naturally. Freedom of movement for workers is a fundamental European value. That is clear! It seems strange that we should have free movement of capital, goods and services but not people. Of course one has to acknowledge that this is a very delicate and complicated dossier. However, one needs to look all the consequences of the current situation. The application of the transitional clause leads to social dumping and undeclared labour which is in itself a form of social dumping. This undermines the European social system. When one looks at the situation in the three countries that have opened their labour markets - the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden - one sees and that they have not suffered. On the contrary! Overall developments have been positive. The social partners agree that frontiers should be opened to workers from the new member states. Indeed in the spirit of the Accession Treaty, these transition periods were an exception and should therefore be lifted as soon as possible. Keeping them in place no longer seems appropriate, particularly in view of staff shortages in certain sectors. It is now up to the member states to decide.

The Services Directive is criticised by trade unions and has divided employers. Do you regard it as a good text?

I agree that the services market should be opened. That is clear. I am convinced that the single...