Brussels, 02/08/2000 (Agence Europe) - British employers have reaffirmed their opposition to the European Union's draft Charter of Fundamental Rights, that they regard as "totally unacceptable". The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) continues to challenge the reference in this text to economic and social rights, and, in particular, criticises the article that provides for "workers and their representatives having the right to information and consultation in good time on matters which concern them within the undertaking, in accordance with Community law and national laws and practices". The CBI considers that notions like "in good time" and "matters which concern them" are "hopelessly broad" and wide open to interpretation in the European Court of Justice.
This tallies with what Lord Goldsmith believes, who, for his part, considers that great progress has been accomplished since the beginning of the work of the Convention, within which he represents the British Government. Mr. Goldsmith welcomes the fact that the "document is intending to be a declaration of existing rights, and considers this as a personal victory in that he has managed to convince his colleagues to introduce a clause enshrining the freedom of enterprise. He would like all the provisions concerning economic and social rights to refer to rights in so far as they apply to relevant national law and practices, and also welcomes the fact that the draft Charter "makes it clear that it is not intended to give Brussels any more powers". "Fundamental improvements have been made, but we still have to make progress", Mr. Goldsmith declared to the British daily "The Guardian", before placing emphasis on the need to re-draft the article on rights to consultation and information of workers so as to reduce its scope.