Responding to the vote in the European Parliament, EEF Head of Employment Policy, David Yeandle, said:
"By failing to follow their own government’s stance those Labour MEPs that voted in favour of ending the UK’s opt out have let down both employers and employees. Given the current economic difficulties we need to be smarter than ever and it seems odd that MEPs are taking away people's right to work overtime should they so choose.
"It is now critical that member states hold firm to the Council position to retain the opt out when negotiating with the European Parliament."
ENDS