News In Focus
11 May 2005
EU threat to enforce working hours
The European Parliament will vote today on whether to end the UK opt-out over maximum weekly hours in the Working Time Directive.
A report to the Parliament by the Spanish Socialist MEP Alejandro Cercas proposes to phase out the exemption over a three year period, with the effect of limiting the working week to an average of 48 hours.
The report also favours counting "on call" time as working time in most cases - which has aroused fears of doctor shortages in the NHS - and allowing average working hours to be calculated over a full year, rather than a four month period as at present.
A close vote is likely as Germany and some of the recently joined eastern European countries support the UK's position, although Labour MEPs are set to vote for abolition.
If passed by the Parliament, the changes must also win the support of a majority of EU governments, which are due to discuss the issue at a meeting next month.