UK loses 48-hour week opt-out
Britain has been forced to end its opt-out of a maximum 48-hour working week as European MEPs voted to abolish the clause.
In a tight vote, 421 MEPs voted in favour of ending the opt-out. Three hundred and ninety four votes were needed for the position to be adopted by the European parliament.
The decision has caused dismay within the business community.
John Cridland, CBI deputy director-general, said: “This vote is misguided. Trying to ban people from choosing to work more than 48 hours a week is a mistake, and would replace opportunity with obstruction.”
Ending the opt-out will affect 3.25 million workers in the UK who currently work more than 48 hours a week.
EU reform campaigners Open Europe estimate ending it in 2011 would cost the UK economy between £47.4 billion and £66.45 billion by 2020.
Mr Cridland continued: “In the current downturn, a family might depend on one parent being able to work extra hours if the other loses their job.
“Many people want to work longer hours, in professions ranging from manufacturing to medical research. They do so to further their careers or earn extra money, or to help their firm through difficulties. They should be able to do so if they choose.”
The Tories have also reacted badly to the news that the opt-out has ended saying that in the current economic climate this is disastrous for people and businesses looking to earn more money.
Alan Duncan, shadow business secretary, said: “Because of the prime minister’s abject failure to defend our national interest, it’s possible that UK employees will be told by Brussels that they can’t earn more money during a recession.
“It’s clear that Gordon Brown is too busy saving the world to save British business from his own Party. He must give his urgent assurances that he will defend the opt-out.”
That argument was countered by the unions and MEP who voted to end the clause.
Jean Lambert, Green MEP, said most people who work more than 48 hours are not paid for overtime and are pressured into the position.
“The majority of long hours employees are not paid for their overtime and therefore have little to fear in terms of their earnings if we end the opt-out,” she said.
“Unsurprisingly, seven out of ten people who work unpaid overtime want to cut their hours. Over half of those doing paid overtime also want to reduce their working time.”
Not only will the business community potentially suffer from the new changes but the NHS also has concerns regarding the decision.
Voting against the opt-out out could mean on-call time for health workers could contribute to their weekly hours which would put the NHS under massive strain.
Alastair Henderson, joint acting director of NHS Employers, said: “NHS Employers are disappointed that the European parliament has chosen not to support the compromise text which would have retained the opt-out for the U.K. and ensured that working hours could be sensibly managed without damaging services to patients.
“It is now important that the legislative process is completed as soon as possible so that NHS organisations and staff are clear on the rules that apply.”
The focus of the unions on the health benefits of ending the opt-out has been the driving force behind the decision being reached.
John McClean of the GMB said: “We have campaigned for this for a long time and the date of 2012 for new negotiations gives plenty of time for the country to adjust to the new plans. We strongly welcome the result.”
Ms Lambert added: “There are many serious health issues related to our long-hours culture including stress, anxiety and depression, as well as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and insomnia.”
The opt-out will remain in place until 2012 when a new round of negotiations will take place between the UK and EU.
