Govt opposed to working week limit
The government has pledged to oppose moves by MEPs to introduce a 48-hour working week limit in Britain.
A committee of European politicians voted yesterday that Britain should lose its opt-out to the employment rules, which applies to other EU member states.
Amendments put forward to the directive by Alejandro Cercas, an MEP in the Spanish Socialist Workers’ party, were approved and will now go to the European parliament for a vote next month.
The amendments would ban staff from choosing to work more than 48 hours a week – whatever their personal or professional circumstances. They will only come into force if European ministers then approve them.
Many Labour MEPs have voted in favour of the maximum limit being introduced in Britain, defying the government.
And Trades Union Congress general secretary Brendan Barber welcomed their support, saying workers would be “heartened” by moves to end the opt-out.
“The vast majority of long hours workers want to move to a better work-life balance and are hungry for change,” he said.
The proposal is meeting opposition from business groups, however. Confederation for British Industry (CBI) deputy director-general John Cridland described the amendments as “misguided”.
“In hard times, somebody may want to work extra hours to help support their family,” he said.
“Staff in a company that’s fighting for survival may choose to work longer hours.”
The government says it will “stand firm” to protect the opt-out which it believes is essential to maintaining flexibility in Britain’s labour market.
Business secretary Lord Peter Mandelson said: “People must remain free to earn overtime if they wish and businesses must have the flexibility to cope during busy times.
“To lose the ability to opt-out will mean workers cannot boost their earning potential when some are already struggling with high food and energy prices.”
Around three million people choose to opt out from the 48-hour limit in Britain, according to government figures.
