This is from the EU summary of the deal made with Greece:
On labour markets [Greece must] undertake rigorous reviews and modernisation of collective bargaining, industrial action and, in line with the relevant EU directive and best practice, collective dismissals, along the timetable and the approach agreed with the Institutions. On the basis of these reviews, labour market policies should be aligned with international and European best practices, and should not involve a return to past policy settings which are not compatible with the goals of promoting sustainable and inclusive growth
Best practices? I think we should read that as toughest restrictions.
This is, no doubt, the EU getting in the right to beat protest before it happens.
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Coming to a city or town near you…
This is what Cameron will demand and get in his ‘negotiations’. Confirms my intention to vote ‘No’ in referendum.
Europe has been increasingly focused on market principles in the name of competitiveness rather than workers rights.
The view of a housewife from here in Greek Suburban London (i.e. not an expert). The lesson for other nations in debt to the EU is to observe the progress towards a forced fire sale of Greek assets and see how far down the same paths other governments have already progressed. Was the appointment of Spyros Sagias, ostensibly at the personal choice of Alexis Tsipras, a signifier of things to come? Spyros Sagias is a lawyer with considerable experience of the commercial law of privatisation and not an obvious political ally of Syriza. At the time of his appointment to the post of Secretary General of the government, i.e. the person responsible for drafting law, a certain amount of relief was felt in some quarters, that lines of communication were being maintained with the other parties and that Syriza would have access to a voice speaking for the commercial sector. With hindsight, some commentators (http://unfollow.com.gr/web-only/19244-sagias-2) see this appointment as suspicious. Who knows? There is a game plan to be constructed here about a popularist government who make everything worse, so that the previously unpalatable (The Great Greek Fire Sale or, as noted here, Control of Trade Unions) becomes acceptable.
I can’t see that as deliberate
But it may be the unintended outcome for now
The Law of Unintended Consequences. A longstanding theory in political economy. More culpable than conspiracies IMHO.