EU

Lawmakers reject plans for longer working week

Article published on the 2008-12-17 Latest update 2008-12-18 09:37 TU

Trade Union members demonstrating against the working time directive.
(Credit: Reuters)

The European Parliament has rejected plans to enable employees to work more than 48 hours a week, but it has set up another confrontation with Britain, who has always strongly defended its right to allow employees to opt-out of the maximum limit.

Britain prides itself on having a deregulated labour market, where employees can choose to work more than the 48 hours a week maximum limit, if they should choose to opt out.

But the European Parliament in Strasbourg has now rejected plans by some member states to allow employees to work more than 48 hours a week under certain conditions.

If employees agree, this move would mean workers could work up to a maximum limit of 60 or 65 hours a week if they choose to do so.

So now the controversial working time measures will have to be ratified by the 27 nations if they accept the decision of the European Parliament.

Britain, which has ensured this opt-out clause was included in legisation since 1993, is certain to do its best to overturn the ruling, while the European Commission said it plans to do its utmost to ensure an agreement is reached.