Labour MEPs scupper UK employees' right to overtime

3.31.00pm GMT Thu 18th Dec 2008

Labour Members of the European Parliament have voted with continental Socialists against the retention of a UK opt-out from EU maximum 48-hour week legislation called the Working Time Directive.

Along with Liberal Democrat colleagues London MEP Sarah Ludford supported the retention of the opt-out, as does Britain's Labour government. She said:

"Labour MEPs seem to have been afraid of offending their continental Socialist friends by standing up for British workers' rights to reach agreement with their own employers on maximum working time with flexibility which suits both parties."

"As people struggle to cope with the credit crunch it is important that they are able to earn overtime if they wish. Of course Liberal Democrats want workers protected against both excessive hours and exploitation, but working time is not something that should be regulated at EU level.

"The opt-out is designed to be truly voluntary: an employee cannot sign it at the same time as the contract and can choose not to be part of the opt-out at any time.

"Gordon Brown will be reeling after MEPs of his own party failed to support him on this important matter. It just shows that there is no coherent or consistent policy in the Labour party, on this or many other matters; they are all over the place."