Disarray over Working Time rules as UK concedes agreement unlikely under its Presidency

5.38.19pm GMT Wed 14th Dec 2005

Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne today questioned EU Presidency spokesperson Douglas Alexander MP on the collapse of talks to find a compromise on Europe's working time rules.

Mr Blair indicated agreement on Working Time rules was one of the key aims of his presidency, but talks were scuppered over the issue of worker's contracts.

Speaking today in Strasbourg Liz commented,

"I welcomed attempts in the compromise to retain the UK's opt out with more stringent conditions on its use, unlike Labour MEP's as ALDE shadow this is what I pushed for in the parliament"

"Those seeking to scrap the opt out fail to address the real problems this will cause, especially for those employed in seasonal work or on short term-contracts. Removing the opt-out would also lead to more people working illegally and therefore not covered by other health & safety legislation including the one covering working with dangerous machinery. We must clamp down on the black economy not encourage it."

"It is becoming increasingly clear that many Member States are using other ways to get round the working time restrictions they call for, like having more than one contract for one job, making a mockery of the whole directive. Working Hours should apply to the person not the job"

"Blair had a genuine opportunity to make progress on these rules but like on so many other issues, he has failed to deliver"

ENDS.

Notes to Editors

Liz Lynne MEP is shadow rapporteur on the working time directive for the ALDE group.

On 10 May the European Parliament voted 345 votes in favour with 264 against Cercas' report on the review of the Working Time Directive. The most significant element for the UK was agreement on the amendment to phase-out the individual opt-out to the 48 hour week 36 months after entry into force of the new directive. 378 MEPs voted in favour of this amendment, 262 against.

If an agreement is reached in the Council of Ministers the report will return to Parliament for a second reading.

Text of Parliamentary Question:

Addressing the European Parliament on the 26th October, in preparation for the next informal European Council, the Council President remarked "On the Working Time Directive, I hope that we can reach agreement under the UK Presidency". What exactly has the UK Presidency done to achieve this objective and what progress has been made?