Working Time Directive opt-out safe - for now
Posted, May 15, 2009 @ 17:00
But socialists and Labour MEPs put Britain on notice - they will attempt to scrap it again
Conservative MEPs have seen off the latest bid of Labour MEPs to limit the amount of overtime British workers can put in after talks aimed at finding a deal on the Working Time Directive collapsed in Brussels, Timothy Kirkhope MEP , said.
A "trilogue" negotiation between the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament and the European Commission was aimed at finding a way round the impasse that developed after the parliament voted to scrap the opt-out of the 48-hour maximum working week last December.
Conservative MEPs have been at the forefront of the campaign to retain the opt-out, which they argue is about a worker's right to choose. British Labour MEPs have led the charge to scrap our opt-out against the wishes of their own government.
The inability to find a compromise means that the Working Time Directive review will fail and the British opt-out will remain by default. But Labour MEPs have warned that the socialists will undoubtedly attempt to end the opt-out again after the European Elections.
Mr Kirkhope said:
"The result of this breakdown in negotiations is that the opt-out remains secure until the next time Labour MEPs have a chance to undermine it. Our right to choose our own working hours is safe for now.
"Over three million people in the UK work more than 48 hours a week, and in these tough times it is more important than ever that people should have the free choice of how best to fend for their families. This outcome is good news not just for Britain's retained fire-fighters and care home workers who feared for their livelihoods: it is good news for ordinary workers throughout the area who just want to get on with their job."