UK Labour Government Still Defending Excessive Working Time

The TUC has criticised the government for its continued stance in support of the so-called opt-out over the Working Time Directive, and as such stale-mating discussions in Europe to end the UK's opt-out from the 48-hour working week ceiling. A conciliation meeting held earlier this month between MEPs and employment ministers ended without agreement.

Commenting on the lack of agreement to end the UK's opt-out of the working time directive TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

“We are disappointed the UK is part of a minority of EU governments that continue to block progress towards ending our damaging long hours culture. The health hazards and lack of productivity caused by excessive working time are well proven. And with people being made redundant or reducing their hours, the business lobby's insistence that they still need long hours looks even more out of date. The working time directive will be under the spotlight again at a third meeting of MEPs and employment ministers later this month. The TUC urges the Government to change its position and put an end to dangerous long hours working.”

The meeting was the second of three formal conciliation meetings between the European Parliament and the Social Affairs Council, with the third meeting scheduled to take place before Thursday 7 May.

Employment relations minister Pat McFadden, in a press release issued 2nd April, defended the UK Labour Government’s stance saying:

“We have said consistently that we would not give up the opt-out and that continues to be the case. In the current downturn it is more important than ever that people keep the right to put more money in their pockets by working longer hours if they wish. We refused to be pushed into a bad deal for Britain.”

Many trade unions and their safety reps believe that low wages, bullying management style and the rise in food and energy bills conspire to create a situation whereby few workers actually choose freely will to work long hours.

Furthermore it is also common opinion that many bad employers don’t actually abide by the legislation and even ask employees to sign the opt-out form which is a requirement for employers if they wish to get their employees to voluntarily opt-out of the restriction on working over 48 hours per week, averaged over a consequtive 4 week period.

However, it is not only this element which is a cause of concern. The requirement for an 11 hour rest break between shifts is also in many cases broken due to the same pressures on employees.

In the meantime, TUC have published the current figures relating to long working hours which show that 1,222,813 employees worked between 49 to 50 hours per week, a 37.6% of long hours worked in 2008.

Source: TUC / BERR

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