Mon, 11 May 2009
The government missed an opportunity to
address the UK's long working hours culture, according to
unions.
Not everyone is relieved that UK workers will be able to opt out of the EU Working Time Directive that limits a working week to 48 hours.
Earlier this week, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said it was relieved that the European parliament's proposals to phase out the opt-out were not to go ahead.
Employment relations minister Pat McFadden said it was important that employees have a choice when it comes to their working hours.
However, one union has expressed its disappointment at the failed negotiations between member states and the European parliament.
Kathleen Walker-Shaw, European officer at the GMB trade union, said her organisation would like to see an average working week among as many workers as possible.
Calling for "solidarity, not greed" considering the level of unemployment, Ms Walker-Shaw asked: "What is the logic, in anybody's opinion, of encouraging people to work excessive hours when [laying off] many people?"
She said failing to cap the working week at 48 hours encourages employees to "opt out of health and safety legislation".
GMB asserts that both the economic and health and safety arguments are lacking in the government's position on the opt-out. "What we have today is a missed opportunity to make things right," Ms Walker-Shaw concluded.
Brendan Barber, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, also referred to the "missed opportunity" to bring an end to the UK's "dangerous" culture of working long hours.
He warned that those running a business where employees work long hours could see stress and illness among staff increase while productivity could decrease.
Mr Barber said the law on working time needs tightening up in the UK, "otherwise the EU could take it to court in order to protect UK workers from abuse of the 48-hour week".
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