Brussels, 22/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - Despite his pressing calls to European leaders to be bolder when it comes to defending the fundamental rights of workers (see EUROPE 9922), John Monks, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), said he was “disappointed but not surprised to read the Declaration on Workers' Rights - disappointed with the text and with the status it has” (see EUROPE 9925). John Monks declares: “Nowhere does the text mention the issue of a social progress protocol and the need to revise the Posted Workers Directive whose weakness is at the heart of renewed disputes in Lincolnshire in England. It is a declaration only, not legally binding, whereby the other points for the Irish are a legal guarantee (neutrality, etc.).” He concludes: “We will continue to pursue our points with the European Parliament. This relegation of social questions is not good enough. The Council is failing Europe's citizens”. (G.B./transl.jl)