|
. | . |
|
by Staff Writers Copenhagen (AFP) Dec 11, 2012 Denmark's prime minister rejected Tuesday calls to block a Greenland law that will allow foreign mining companies to employ workers under conditions prevalent in their own countries. "I believe that we must have respect for the home rule that we have agreed, and that we respect the decisions taken in Greenland," Helle Thorning-Schmidt told reporters. The prime minister's statements came following political and union criticism of Greenland's new law, which is predominantly seen as favouring China's plans for a large-scale mining settlement on the world's largest island. Greenland's parliament last Friday passed a law that gives companies investing in large-scale mining operations in the country free rein to determine their own employee working conditions. Under commonwealth rules, however, the law must be sanctioned by Denmark's Parliament. Greenland is part of the Danish commonwealth and while it has full control over its raw materials, foreign policy and defence matters remain under Copenhagen's control. "We have to accept that raw materials, wages and employment are conditions that are decided in Greenland. It is not up to me or any other politician (in Denmark) to decide what they do in Greenland," Thorning-Schmidt said. However Danish People's Party leader Kristian Thulesen Dahl has warned he would try to raise a parliamentary majority to block the law coming into effect, saying immigration policy remained a commonwealth responsibility.
Related Links Powering The World in the 21st Century at Energy-Daily.com
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement |