EU Working Time debate continues

11.10.40am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Oct 2006

The argument over the EU's Working Time Directive continues and there seems little chance of sensible progress - that is the message from European Liberal Democrat Employment Spokesperson, Liz Lynne MEP

Speaking after a meeting with Finnish Presidency Employment Ministers and a seminar on the issue in Brussels, Liz, who is shadow rapporteur for the directive, said

"It is imperative that we reach a conclusion regarding the health sector but we can't do that at the expense of the removal of the opt out from other sectors."

"Many other EU countries are failing to implement the directive properly or making a mockery of the rules such as using multiple contracts where a worker can be employed even by the same company on more than one contract and yet it is these countries who now want to remove the opt out.

"All workers are quite rightly, of course, still covered by directives concerning health and safety including the one covering working with dangerous machinery. Removing the opt-out would in my opinion lead to more people working illegally and therefore they would not be covered by health & safety legislation. We must clamp down on the black economy not encourage it."

"I have always argued that it is in the UK's best interest to keep its economy flexible but while Tony Blair agrees, his Labour MEPs are fighting tooth and nail to change that.

"Trade Unions are also lobbying hard for the UK's opt-out to go but at the same time grassroots union members scream out for flexibility to ensure they can work extra hours to earn extra cash when they need it"