Lib Dem slams 'Old Labour' MEPs for voting to ditch working time opt-out

5.59.09pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 11th Feb 2004

Labour MEPs today showed that despite the best efforts of Number 10, 'old Labour is alive and well, and voting down the UK government line from Strasbourg'. That was the verdict of Chris Huhne, Liberal Democrat MEP for Hampshire, speaking after a dramatic vote in the European Parliament.

MEPs gave their response to a Commission review of the Working Time Directive - legislation that regulates the hours of European employees. The debate centred on one key clause - whether workers can voluntarily opt-out of a 48-hour working week. The European Parliament voted to recommend that the Commission drop the clause from future legislation. Labour MEPs voted en masse to 'phase out' the voluntary opt-out, arguing that it can be abused by employers.

Mr Huhne was disappointed at the outcome. 'The opt-out is crucial for UK competitiveness. It recognises important differences between the structure of the British labour market and that of other EU Member States, as well as giving workers the opportunity to earn more through overtime.'

Neither was it a great day for British Conservatives, 'in failing to get the support of the whole of their own group - the European People's Party - on this crucial issue, the Tories lost a real opportunity to send a message to the Commission. It's hardly an auspicious start to Michael Howard's realignment with the European centre right.'

Mr Huhne went on to counter the claims of Labour rebels who opposed the opt-out, 'Of course there must be adequate provision against workers opting out under duress, but there are less drastic ways to achieve this. What is important is that wherever the opt-out is used it is truly voluntary, and reflects the best interests of workers.'

ENDS

Note to editors:

The Working Time Directive regulates the working time of European employees. It stipulates that workers should not work more than an average 48 hour working week.

Today's vote is the result of the European Parliament's own-initiative report, responding to a Commission consultation on the future of Working Time legislation.