Euro-MP renews call for the UK Opt-Out to stay

4.15.13pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 31st Mar 2004

Release time: 31/03/2004 Embargo: Immediate

Euro-MP renews call for the UK Opt-Out to stay

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne has called for the UK's individual opt out of the Working Time Directive to stay following the end today of the European Commission's consultation process on the directive.

Speaking today the Liberal Democrat MEP said:

"The UK opt out of the Working Time Directive is necessary because we do not have a tradition of collective agreements in the UK. Of course we have to have safeguards to make sure that the opt out is truly voluntary and that workers are not forced to sign it at the same time as their contract or as a condition of getting a job.

"Contrary to popular belief the UK is not the only member state that allows opt outs of the Working Time Directive. France, Portugal & Luxembourg have all decided it is in their interest to allow opt-outs in particular sectors such as health and or catering, and certain other countries are set to follow suit.

"My amendments to keep the opt out were defeated by an alliance of members of the Socialists and the EPP groups in the European Parliament last month. Therefore the Parliament's opinion on the commission consultation asks for the opt out to the Working Time Directive to be removed.

"The Liberal Democrats, are the only party united on this issue both in the European Parliament and Westminster. We believe the opt-out is crucial for UK competitiveness as well as giving workers the opportunity to earn more through overtime."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Liz Lynne MEP was the ELDR shadow rapporteur for the working time directive

The European Commission was holding a consultation process to review the Working Time Directive, which regulates the working time of European employees.

It stipulates that workers should not work more than an average 48 hour working week. The European Parliament's own-initiative report, responding to a Commission consultation on the future of Working Time legislation was passed last month, which amongst other things called for the UK opt-out to be removed.