Key Vote on Working Time Directive on Tuesday

1.00.00pm GMT Fri 6th Feb 2004

West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne is calling on the UK Labour MEPs to get on board with their own government and vote to retain the opt out to the Working Time Directive.

The European Parliament MEPs will vote on a report, which will feed into the European Commission's consultation on the EU Working Time Directive, on Tuesday in Strasbourg following the debate on Monday. This legislation regulates the working hours of European employees.

The Commission asked MEPs if they thought member states should continue to be able to allow their workers the right to opt-out from a maximum 48-hour week, as current legislation allows. Socialists MEPs including Labour voted to remove the opt-out in committee and look like they may to do so again when it is voted on in plenary session.

The Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne said,

"By signalling that they wish to see the opt-out go, Labour MEPs have broken ranks with their own government's supposed commitment to a flexible labour market and a competitive UK economy.

"British businesses have already warned that the UK will lose its competitive edge if the opt-out is abolished.

"Of course there must be adequate provision against workers opting out under duress, but this is not best achieved by removing the opt-out altogether."

"I believe we should maintain the opt-out for the sake of European competitiveness, as well as for less well paid workers who rely on the opt-out to make up earnings through overtime. What needs to be done is to make sure the opt-out is truly voluntary, and protects the best interests of workers."

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Liz Lynne MEP is ELDR shadow rapporteur for the working time directive.

For further information, comment or to book an interview, please telephone

Liz Lynne on 01386832689 or 077644 52725 (mobile) or Press Officer Stuart

Ritchie on 01789 266354, 07833668158 (mobile)

.