Latest:
CC to fight EU works councils law
00:00 18 Nov 1998
|
The Construction Confederation announced on Monday that it will
fight tooth and nail to stop proposed European legislation that
would lead to the introduction of works councils for all firms with
over 50 employees.
John Bromley, the CC's European director, said: "If this goes through it could be a serious problem for construction employers.
"If there was a sharp downturn, firms wouldn't be able to make staff redundant. If the workload was still there but had moved to different areas, firms wouldn't be able to shift its employees' work location."
Newly-appointed Bromley ranked stopping this directive as one of his priorities. "It is one of the most serious threats to the adaptability of European industry yet posed by the Commission," he said.
Announcing that the CC is to open an office in Brussels, Sir Martin Laing, said: "We have got to have a better presence." Bromley added that 80 per cent of future UK legislation will be derived from Brussels in some way.
l The Confederation's Trends Survey for Quarter 3 (July-September) showed a rise in the workload, with 26 per cent more firms reporting a rise in workload than those encountering a downturn.
The pick-up could be short-lived, however, as the balance of companies' new orders has turned negative for the first time since the start of 1996. A balance of 8 per cent of companies reported fewer new enquiries during the third quarter compared with the three previous months.
Regionally, enquires have weakened throughout the country. The Midlands is set to suffer the most, followed by the Southern and Eastern regions. By contrast, national contractors' balance of new enquiries continued to grow.
Sir Martin said it was vital that Government sticks to its ambitious plans contained in its recent Comprehensive Spending Review. "£11 billion has been promised in PFI in the coming three years," said Sir Martin.
With the downturn in workload, he said construction firms also need the full £700 million promised in the current phase of the release of capital receipts.
John Bromley, the CC's European director, said: "If this goes through it could be a serious problem for construction employers.
"If there was a sharp downturn, firms wouldn't be able to make staff redundant. If the workload was still there but had moved to different areas, firms wouldn't be able to shift its employees' work location."
Newly-appointed Bromley ranked stopping this directive as one of his priorities. "It is one of the most serious threats to the adaptability of European industry yet posed by the Commission," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Announcing that the CC is to open an office in Brussels, Sir Martin Laing, said: "We have got to have a better presence." Bromley added that 80 per cent of future UK legislation will be derived from Brussels in some way.
l The Confederation's Trends Survey for Quarter 3 (July-September) showed a rise in the workload, with 26 per cent more firms reporting a rise in workload than those encountering a downturn.
The pick-up could be short-lived, however, as the balance of companies' new orders has turned negative for the first time since the start of 1996. A balance of 8 per cent of companies reported fewer new enquiries during the third quarter compared with the three previous months.
Regionally, enquires have weakened throughout the country. The Midlands is set to suffer the most, followed by the Southern and Eastern regions. By contrast, national contractors' balance of new enquiries continued to grow.
Sir Martin said it was vital that Government sticks to its ambitious plans contained in its recent Comprehensive Spending Review. "£11 billion has been promised in PFI in the coming three years," said Sir Martin.
With the downturn in workload, he said construction firms also need the full £700 million promised in the current phase of the release of capital receipts.
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Viewed Articles
ADVERTISEMENT