Workers not politicians should decide working time

1.57.09pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 11th May 2005

By a majority of around 100, MEPs in Strasbourg have voted to change the EU working time Directive such as to remove the right for employees to choose to work longer hours by opting out of a maximum 48-hour working week.

Despite the best efforts of Number 10, old Labour showed itself alive and well. Labour MEPs defied Tony Blair by refusing to support the UK government line, which is to retain the opt-out right. Instead Blair found himself relying on support from Liberal Democrat and Conservative MEPs.

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford said:

"Tony Blair now has a dilemma. He must decide to either back down from his long held view or show up the divisions in the Labour Party on this issue. I hope he holds his nerve and argues to keep the opt-out at the Council of Ministers next month."

"MEPs and Ministers should not ban people from choosing to earn more though overtime. It is unnecessary interference by Europe in people's lives. Blanket controls imposed on every country by Brussels limits the freedom of Member States to decide the approach most appropriate for them. It is excessive and wrong."

"I strongly disagree with the Labour Euro-spokesman who said the European Union should lay down the law with regard to the work/life/family balance of people everywhere. It's not surprising we have to counter so much Euro-scepticism in Britain when some MEPs say such silly things!"

"Of course we need safeguards to make sure workers are not being exploited and that those who make life and death decisions are not tired. But if any more protection is needed, it should be done at national level, not European."

Sarah Ludford supported the amendment to define all 'on-call' time spent at the workplace as working time:

"The original proposal from the European Commission mean that doctors would not be considered to be working if they are resting in the hospital. But brief periods of rest at work are not the same as sleeping at home and should never be classed as such."

Ends