New EU-wide job vacancy service promises welcome liberalization of job market

9.55.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 1st Jun 2006

Young Alliance Chair Ian James Parsley

Young Alliance Chair Ian James Parsley has said that the enhancement of a Europe-wide job vacancy service is a welcome further example of the freedom of markets and movements delivered by European cooperation - and added that not only would it help local job seekers find work elsewhere, but would also see nationals of other European states coming to Northern Ireland in even greater numbers.

Commenting upon the launch of EURES Web Services, a new package available on Job Points in all Jobs and Benefits Offices and JobCentres, the North Down Councillor stated: "We easily forget the outstanding advantages that European cooperation can bring directly to citizens, provided that cooperation is based upon free markets, free movement and free trade.

"During this, the European Year of Workers' Mobility, Northern Ireland has become increasingly aware of the welcome site of nationals of other European States adding skills and value to the local workforce. It is essential for the success of Europe in an increasingly globalized trading environment that young people throughout Europe have immediate access to opportunities that exist for work across the continent.

"Northern Ireland now enjoys the lowest unemployment rate of any EU jurisdiction, and provided we are prepared to play to our traits of hard work and openness, the liberalization of the job market in this way will bring only benefits to us all.

"A genuinely Liberal Europe promises a future of open borders, travel opportunities and shared research which will open up the whole continent for the next generation. We are lucky to live in what is potentially the first era of peace, stability and freedom across the European continent, and we must make the most of it."

ENDS