Manufacturers criticise European Parliament’s missed opportunity
Release date: 11/05/2005
Manufacturers look to the UK government to continue to lobby for the retention of the opt-out and work with other member states and the Commission to reach a solution
Britain’s manufacturers reacted with disappointment today to the news that the European Parliament has voted for changes to the Working Time Directive which would phase out the right of individuals to opt out of the average 48 hour working week.
David Yeandle, Deputy Director of Employment Policy at EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, said:
“MEPs had the chance today to prove their commitment to the cause of labour market flexibility and economic growth; unfortunately the majority of them have fluffed their lines.”
“Thankfully this is not the end of the story and we look to the UK government to continue to lobby for the retention of the opt-out and work with other member states and the Commission to reach a solution. We are also heartened by Commissioner Spidla’s commitment to retaining the opt-out.”
EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, has a membership of over 6,000 manufacturing, engineering and technology-based businesses and represents the interests of manufacturing at all levels of government.
Comprising 11 regional Associations, the Engineering Construction Industries Association (ECIA) and UK Steel, EEF is one of the UK's leading providers of business services in employment relations and employment law, health, safety and environment, manufacturing performance, and education and skills.