Forum calls for protection of freedom of movement in EU-UK talks

The Forum Unions Maltin urged Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to guarantee that any renegotiation of Britain’s EU membership will not impinge on European citizens’ freedom of movement.

“There can be no deal with the UK based on open or covert discrimination against EU citizens exercising their freedom of movement,” Forum said.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to reform Britain's ties with the 28-member EU before a membership referendum by the end of 2017 but a number of his his demands are expected be opposed by the bloc. One of the most contentious issues is London's demand to cut certain benefits for EU migrants to Britain.

Cameron has already said that he does not expect to clinch a deal at next week's European Council meeting, but wants to "focus minds" on changes he is seeking.

European Council President Donald Tusk has said that discussions next week should pave the way for a deal in February.

Joining British and European trade union confederations, Forum Unions Maltin said competitiveness should not be defined exclusively in terms of deregulation “and the latter should not be intended as a proxy for dismantling the social acquis communautaire or preventing the adoption of future measures to cater for an evolving labour market.”

In a letter sent to Muscat, Forum added that the notion of a two speed Europe is counterproductive as it would allow the UK to undercut other parts of the EU by providing lower levels of protection for British workers.