News In Focus
25 August 2006
Oil bosses warn against EU working time directive
Oil industry bosses have warned against new rules on the holiday entitlement for offshore workers as they fear that it will cause a large decrease in productivity.
The UK Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA) was commenting following the Industry Minister Jim Fitzpatrick's announcement that the European Working Time Directive does apply to offshore workers.
The Association fears that this would mean staff working just eight days a month.
Mr Fitzpatrick has said that he will introduce new regulations effective from 1 October, making it clear the directive applies to those working in the UK's 12-mile stretch of territorial waters.
Employers are currently appealing against an industrial tribunal ruling which would apply to more than 300 cases brought by the unions. The new legislation would circumvent this appeal process.
Graham Tran, the Amicus union's northern organiser, welcomed the decision and accused the UKOOA of scaremongering. He called on the association to participate in sensible debate about giving their workers their full holiday entitlement.
UKOOA director Chris Allen said that changing offshore work patterns in this way would not be economically viable. He added that legal action would continue until this was ruled out.