Labour party in Europe threatens right to work overtime

3.15.00pm GMT Fri 7th Nov 2008

Labour Euro-MPs have defied and embarrassed Gordon Brown by voting with other Socialist MEPs in the European Parliament to axe the UK's opt out from the EU Working Time Directive.

The opt-out from the directive allows employees in the UK to work overtime beyond 48 hours a week in order to boost their earnings. The UK government did a deal recently with other EU governments whereby Britain would support a law giving temporary workers the same pay as permanent staff after 12 weeks in a job, in return for keeping the opt-out from the 48 hour week. But Socialist including British Labour MEPs have now overturned this deal.

Commenting on the vote, London's Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford said;

"Britain's opt-out from the 48-hour limit for the working week allows employees to choose to work longer but only if they so wish. The vote by Labour MEPs could harm those workers who, in this period of recession especially, rely on overtime pay to boost their earnings."

"So long as the strict conditions are applied to ensure that overtime is truly voluntary, employees are not at risk since they remain covered by health and safety legislation. But in typical Labour 'nanny-state' fashion, Gordon Brown's MEPs have decided that they know better than individuals what suits them best."