Opt-out not out after European talks fail
The UK’s controversial opt-out from the maximum 48-hour working week is
still in place, following the breakdown of negotiations on the subject
in Brussels yesterday.
The ongoing dispute between the European Parliament and governments of
more than a dozen member states over the Working Time Directive now
looks set to remain deadlocked until after the European elections in
June.
The Parliament is pushing for a deadline to scrap the opt-out, which
allows employees to choose to work more than 48 hours a week.
Governments against this move want to retain the opt-out and see the
maximum number of hours raised to 65 a week.
Businesses in the UK have long argued in favour of the opt-out, saying
to lose it would seriously affect the country’s productivity and
economic competitiveness. Commenting on the failure of yesterday’s
talks, deputy director-general of the CBI, John Cridland, said: “We
welcome the retention of the opt-out, which we have been calling for in
London and Brussels. It allows people to make their own decision about
the hours they work. Keeping the opt-out is a victory for common sense,
and is good for the UK economy.”
Manufacturing employers’ organisation the EEF was similarly welcoming
of the outcome, with head of employment policy, David Yeandle,
expressing his members’ relief over the retention of the individual
opt-out. He added: “The Government and its allies in other Member
States are to be congratulated on maintaining a firm position on this
important issue. Retaining the opt-out will help employers to manage
working time so that they can respond quickly and efficiently to
changing customer demands, and enable employees to choose to earn more
by working longer hours.”
The TUC, however, was dismayed at this latest breakdown. Said general
secretary, Brendan Barber: “We are disappointed that another
opportunity has been missed to end the UK’s dangerous long-hours
culture. Long hours cause stress, illness, and lowers productivity.
And, when many employers are moving to short-time working, the need for
an opt-out of the 48-hour week is even more out of date.”
Barber warned that unless the UK tightens its laws on working time the
EU could take it to court in order to protect UK workers from abuse by
employers of the 48-hour week. Although the current European Commission
is disbanding after this summer, the new team is likely to pick up the
issue and take it forward.
Opt-out not out after European talks fail
The UK's controversial opt-out from the maximum 48-hour working week isstill in place, following the breakdown of negotiations on the subjectin Brussels yesterday.<br><br>
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