Hon Speaker, we operate within a regulated society. I think between workers and the employers there have been negotiations and agreements, and those agreements must be respected. The kind of laws that have been made or regulated has been on the basis of the participation of all.
I think, as the hon member is aware - and she has said many times that she is a democrat - in a democratic situation it is the majority that prevails. [Applause.] I can't change the rules because you want to make a particular point. You can't then say smaller unions must be compared to the bigger unions in the same way. [Interjections.] Exactly, that is why you sit in that bench all the time. You can't move to this side. [Laughter.] You can't. It is impossible. [Applause.]
No, I am telling you that you should appreciate that we are in Parliament as political parties and not as workers. I am talking about what governs the unions. All of their workers are working. Workers who do not join the unions can't have the same kind of privileges. Of course, they might benefit if those in the majority and those who are unionised win the gains in the negotiations, but they can't be the same. You can't have a union of half a dozen people because you have declared the union and then expect to have the same rights. [Interjections.] Sorry? We have more rights here because we are a majority. You have fewer rights because you are a minority. Absolutely, that's how democracy works.
So, it is a question of accepting the rules within democracy and you must operate within them. It doesn't matter if it so happens that you are in a small party or defending a small union, and that is none of my business. [Laughter.] You sympathise with them. Absolutely, it's a democracy. Thank you very much, hon Speaker. [Applause.]