Treffie
04-28-2009, 10:01 AM
The UK's opt-out from the European Working Time Directive will remain in place after seeing off attempts by the European Parliament to phase it out.
The opt-out enables UK workers to work more than 48 hours a week. Euro MPs wanted it phased out over three years.
But talks between MEPs, member states and the European Commission failed to reach agreement on how to proceed.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said he was "relieved we have been able to resist its removal".
Flexibility
The UK has strenuously defended the opt-out, which 14 other member states are signed up to, for many years.
It argues that workers should be able to choose how many hours they work and flexibility in the workplace boosts the economy.
However, unions say the UK has the longest working hours of any country in Europe, leading to more workplace accidents and hindering rather improving productivity.
Phasing in the changes would allow concerned employers time to adjust, unions have maintained.
MEPs voted in December to end the opt-out - designed to prevent workers from being exploited - within three years.
The current economic climate makes it more important than ever that people continue to have the right to put more money in their pockets
Pat McFadden, UK Employment Minister
But the UK and other member states opposed the move and talks in Brussels aimed at finding a solution broke down after it was agreed that the differences were too great.
It will now be up to the European Commission to decide whether to put forward new legislative proposals.
Employment minister Pat McFadden said the opt-out had worked successfully for many years and ending it would have been a "bad deal" for the UK in the midst of a recession.
Unemployment has risen above two million while thousands of employees, particularly in the car industry, have had their working hours reduced in the face of weakening demand.
"Everyone has the right to basic protections surrounding the hours that they work but it is also important that they have the right to choose those hours," he said.
"The current economic climate makes it more important than ever that people continue to have the right to put more money in their pockets by working longer hours if they choose to do so."
'Disappointed'
The European Commission said it was "sorely disappointed" by the failure to reach agreement and would consult on the best way forward.
"The likely outcome is that more - not less - member states will start using the opt-out, not something I want to see happen," said Vladimir Spidla, the EU's Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner.
"And there won't even be more safeguards for workers who do use the opt-out," he added.
The Czech Republic, which holds the EU presidency, had tried to broker a compromise deal, arguing that the opt-out remained invaluable for many countries.
Its labour minister Petr Necas said MEPs had been "unwilling" to accept that the opt-out offered employers and workers much-needed flexibility in the tough economic climate.
"This is what Europe needs at the time of the economic downturn," he said.
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'Disappointed'
The European Commission said it was "sorely disappointed" by the failure to reach agreement and would consult on the best way forward
This is one of the many reasons why I believe the EU is out of touch with the population. If a person wants to work longer hours, why not let them decide? :mad:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8022095.stm
The opt-out enables UK workers to work more than 48 hours a week. Euro MPs wanted it phased out over three years.
But talks between MEPs, member states and the European Commission failed to reach agreement on how to proceed.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said he was "relieved we have been able to resist its removal".
Flexibility
The UK has strenuously defended the opt-out, which 14 other member states are signed up to, for many years.
It argues that workers should be able to choose how many hours they work and flexibility in the workplace boosts the economy.
However, unions say the UK has the longest working hours of any country in Europe, leading to more workplace accidents and hindering rather improving productivity.
Phasing in the changes would allow concerned employers time to adjust, unions have maintained.
MEPs voted in December to end the opt-out - designed to prevent workers from being exploited - within three years.
The current economic climate makes it more important than ever that people continue to have the right to put more money in their pockets
Pat McFadden, UK Employment Minister
But the UK and other member states opposed the move and talks in Brussels aimed at finding a solution broke down after it was agreed that the differences were too great.
It will now be up to the European Commission to decide whether to put forward new legislative proposals.
Employment minister Pat McFadden said the opt-out had worked successfully for many years and ending it would have been a "bad deal" for the UK in the midst of a recession.
Unemployment has risen above two million while thousands of employees, particularly in the car industry, have had their working hours reduced in the face of weakening demand.
"Everyone has the right to basic protections surrounding the hours that they work but it is also important that they have the right to choose those hours," he said.
"The current economic climate makes it more important than ever that people continue to have the right to put more money in their pockets by working longer hours if they choose to do so."
'Disappointed'
The European Commission said it was "sorely disappointed" by the failure to reach agreement and would consult on the best way forward.
"The likely outcome is that more - not less - member states will start using the opt-out, not something I want to see happen," said Vladimir Spidla, the EU's Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner.
"And there won't even be more safeguards for workers who do use the opt-out," he added.
The Czech Republic, which holds the EU presidency, had tried to broker a compromise deal, arguing that the opt-out remained invaluable for many countries.
Its labour minister Petr Necas said MEPs had been "unwilling" to accept that the opt-out offered employers and workers much-needed flexibility in the tough economic climate.
"This is what Europe needs at the time of the economic downturn," he said.
--------------------------------
'Disappointed'
The European Commission said it was "sorely disappointed" by the failure to reach agreement and would consult on the best way forward
This is one of the many reasons why I believe the EU is out of touch with the population. If a person wants to work longer hours, why not let them decide? :mad:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8022095.stm