The European Union
Advantages of UK membership to the European Union cover many fields
from the businesses in the UK to British consumers and students.
Membership benefits UK businesses because it makes trade between
member states quicker and cheaper. This is because the EU is a customs
union/ single market. This means that a business in the UK can export
its goods and services to other EU member states and those goods and
services will not have a tax tariff imposed on them. For example,
America, a non-EU member, imposes a tariff on cars being imported from
the UK. However, Germany, an EU member, does not impose a tariff on
British cars being imported. Like wise the UK does not impose tariffs
on German imports or on imports from any of the member states. This
leads to more competition, more free trade and comparative advantages.
The membership of the UK also benefits consumers because of the
customs union / single market. British consumers will have cheaper
prices, higher quality and more variety of goods from the increased EU
competition. The consumer will also benefit from food and health and
safety standards. For example, all goods that are produced in the
European Union must now carry "best before" markings, price indicators
and a list of ingredients, colourings and additives that they contain.
In addition to this the consumer will not have to worry if a British
product is safer to consume than a French product because all
countries have more or less the same rules, this creates a level
playing field for all manufacturers. Another process called mutual
recognition means that all member states have more or less the same
laws ...
... middle of paper ...
...wage was £3.50 but in October
2005 it became £5.05. In addition to the above two rights all workers
must receive a minimum of four weeks holidays per year. This right was
introduced to give workers the rest they deserved from their jobs. It
affects labourers, especially, because a holiday is a big contrast to
the labour intensive job they do. Finally a maternity / paternity
leave is granted to parents of a newborn baby. The usual allowance for
maternity / paternity leave is approx. weeks. The employee who
takes the leave is usually paid and is guaranteed his / her job back
when returning from the leave. If a firm breaks the any of the rules
of the social chapter they could be taken to court and might have to
pay fines and / or reimburse the effected employee. All in all these
rights are welcomed hugely by labourers.