Dockers protest against EU plan

Dockers from across Western Europe joined the demonstration

Thousands of striking dock workers have staged a protest against European Union liberalisation plans in Rotterdam.

More than 8,000 strikers brought the Dutch port, Europe's largest, to a standstill and there were similar demonstrations in Spain and Belgium.

The EU hopes to open up harbour services, such as loading and unloading cargo, to greater competition.

But workers fear this will bring job cuts as cheaper labour from other countries floods the market.

Safety spat

Under current European rules, port authorities are forced to employ local union labourers, but if the EU has its way that will change - giving ports the choice to employ anyone they choose.

There were a few outbreaks of violence

The plan has sparked anger among the European Transport Workers' Federation, the union leading the 24-hour strike, which claims it will compromise safety regulations and increase accidents.

The BBC's Geraldine Coughlan in The Hague says emotions are running high over the issue as workers fear their jobs are at stake if port authorities are allowed to bring in cheaper labour from other European countries.

The strikers, who come from right across Western Europe, say they are going to step up political pressure to guarantee their wages and safety.

Trade union representatives from outside the Netherlands who joined the protest said they were there to send a message of solidarity to Brussels.

Arrests made

In Rotterdam, traffic was brought to a standstill as the protesters marched. Some threw beer cans and stones at police.

Several arrests were made after a small group of the protesters turned violent, although no-one was hurt, police spokeswoman Marjan de Hollander told Associated Press.

There were smaller demonstrations in Europe's second biggest port - Antwerp in Belgium - and at ports in Spain.

"This way we can bring the message to Brussels. We disagree with the European Commission that wants to bring forced competition to Europe's ports. There already is competition and we all know what their plans would bring," said Eduardo Chagas of the European Transport Workers' Federation.