Speaking in a European Parliament debate this morning on the Swiss referendum result that saw voters favour a tightening of immigration controls from the EU, Cypriot MEP Kyriacos Triantaphyllides defended the rights of migrant workers.

He said: “This is discrimination against workers and is being used to reduce their rights. We must respect collective agreements. Workers, domestic or foreign, can't be made to bear the brunt of the crisis. Free movement of capital is being prioritised while free movement of people is side-lined, and this only fuels racism and xenophobia.

“We must change tack in the way we deal with migration and fight the greed of employers.”

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