MEPs Vote To Scrap Working Time Opt-Out

4.52.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 20th Apr 2005

MEPs have today encouraged a black economy and dealt a massive blow to those people in the UK who depend on overtime pay to survive, according to Liberal Democrat Employment Spokesperson in the European Parliament Liz Lynne MEP.

Liz, who is shadow rapporteur on the Working Time Directive for the ALDE group, was speaking after members of the Employment & Social Affairs committee voted to remove the right for individuals to opt-out of the directive.

She said:

"I believe we should maintain the individual 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 that the opt-out is truly voluntary, and protects the best interests of workers. My amendments would have provided stringent conditions, to make sure workers would not have to opt-out of the directive against their wishes.

"We have another chance to keep the opt-out when it is voted on by the whole parliament in May. However, Labour MEPs look likely to vote with their Socialist colleagues again and against the UK Government line in opposing the opt-out. I hope they will now reflect on the damage their position will do to the British economy especially in agriculture, tourism and catering."

ENDS