Britain’s manufacturers are urging Labour MEPs to vote against damaging amendments to the Working Time Directive at a key meeting of the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee in Brussels later this week. (Tuesday and Wednesday)
EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, fears that proposed changes to this Directive would threaten the retention of the individual opt out and thereby remove a vital component of the flexibility of the UK labour market. EEF believes that any changes that are made to the Working Time Directive must retain the right of individuals to opt out of the average 48 hour working week and allow working time to be averaged over 52 weeks without conditions that impose costs and administrative burdens on employers.
In addition, EEF is also concerned that some Labour MEPs appear determined to support amendments to the Commission's proposed changes to this Directive, despite them being at serious odds with the views being expressed by the UK Government which is fighting hard in the Council of Ministers to retain the individual opt out.
EEF Deputy Director of Employment Policy, David Yeandle, said:
"We are alarmed that Labour MEPs are supporting amendments which are so at odds with the views being expressed by the UK Government. We would urge them to reject these damaging amendments to the Commission's proposal that would remove the individual opt out."