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Press Release

Small firms need MEPs to get Europe working

Tuesday 14 November 2006

The Federation of Small Businesses is calling on Members of the European Parliament to support economic growth across the EU as they vote on the Services Directive on Wednesday November 15.

At present significant barriers exist which effectively keep small firms out of foreign markets within the EU. Many national laws at present protect against small businesses from other EU member states competing with domestic firms.

For example, a scuba diving instructor wanting to teach English-speakers to dive off a holiday beach in Greece is still required to speak Greek. For a self-employed instructor from the UK, dealing solely with English-speakers, this is an unfair obstacle to put in his or her path simply to protect local workers. This behaviour is holding back entrepreneurship across EU borders, stifling growth and going against the completion of the single market.

Tina Sommer, FSB EU Affairs Chairman, said:

“The Services Directive will lift significant burdens off the back of small firms, who make up 89% of the service sector. It could have gone further but will still lead to more jobs, a stronger European economy and faster growth. But it will do so whilst protecting good employment standards.

“The Directive is a winner for all. If every small and medium sized firm were freed to create one extra job, unemployment in the EU would be eradicated. Vested interests may try to derail it or water it down but to do so would be to abandon businesses and workers to a stagnating and outmoded way of working.

“MEPs should vote the Council’s Common Position through without amendment. They will be helping to complete the internal market and building an economy fit for the 21st century. The livelihoods of millions of people are in the hands of MEPs – they must keep this in mind as they vote on Wednesday.”



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Federation of Small Businesses

Federation of Small Businesses

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