1. The "country of origin" principle, which gave rise to fears that firms from low-wage countries would be allowed to operate throughout Europe under their own domestic labour laws and thereby precipitate a "race to the bottom", has been removed and replaced by a less liberalising "freedom to provide services" provision.
2. All healthcare services are excluded from the directive and separate legislation will be drawn up by the health commissioner, Markos Kyprianou on patient mobility and reimbursement of health costs.
3. Temporary work agencies, security services and the audiovisual sector are also excluded but legal services remain.
4. Also excluded are social services, such as care for the elderly or disabled; gambling, but not services provided inside casinos; and catering and public transport.
5. Employment commissioner Vladimir Spidla briefed MEPs about new guidelines on the legal situation for workers from one EU country whose companies send them to work in another member state.
6. The new draft directive will provide ways for governments to opt out of the legislation on grounds of public security, public health or for environmental reasons. Maximum working hours, minimum wages, holidays, the right to strike or to collective bargaining will not be affected by the legislation.
Deaglán de Bréadún