Newly re-elected Plaid Cymru Euro-MP Jill Evans has called on Tony Blair to fight for better rights for workers in the crucial EU Constitution negotiations taking place in Brussels. The Welsh MEP is backing calls from the TUC to halt any further watering down of provisions for improved workers rights in the proposed treaty.

Speaking from Brussels, Jill Evans MEP said:

"If Tony Blair expects people in Wales to support an EU Constitution then he must make sure that it will bring real tangible benefits to peoples' everyday lives. This means avoiding any further watering down of treaty provisions on rights for workers.

In particular we need to see progress on adopting the provisions of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights which sets out decent minimum workplace standards. We also need to see Blair stand firm on the constitution provisions that promote dialogue between trades unions and employers.

If Blair wants us to take the EU Constitution seriously then he must clearly show that it has something to offer the working people of this country. He can achieve this by putting people before profit and standing firm on the safeguards for workers in the new treaty. He must ask himself whether he's in Brussels to defend Thatcher's anti worker legislation or to stand up for the rights of working people?"

Diwedd/Ends.