Motion no: 7
Conference notes that the referendum on membership of the European Union (EU) will be held by the end of 2017 and could be as early as June/July 2016. This will be an important decision for workers in Northern Ireland.
A number of key workers' rights and employment protections come from European Union Directives such as TUPE, redundancy consultation, working time protections, part-time workers' rights and anti-discrimination legislation.
Conference strongly opposes the UK Government's renegotiation strategy which has attempted to get opt-outs from employment protections and scapegoat migrant workers by restricting access to in-work benefits.
Conference is in favour of a social Europe with employment protections and workers' rights.
Thousands of jobs in Northern Ireland rely, directly or indirectly, upon close links with the EU. Conference expresses concern that exit from the EU could put these jobs at risk.
Political and economic co-operation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland facilitated and supported by both being members of the EU, helps to support the peace process. This co-operation benefits both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
UK exit from the EU could disrupt the cross-border links and could undermine this important part of the peace process.
Conference believes it is in the political and economic interests of workers in Northern Ireland for the UK to remain in the EU.
Conference calls on the Northern Ireland Committee to campaign in the run-up to the forthcoming referendum to urge workers in Northern Ireland to vote to remain in the EU.
