Threat to the UK’s 48 hours Opt-out

14th November 2008 The EU Employment and Social Affairs Committee voted by 35 votes to 13 votes this month to end the UK’s Opt-out on the 48 hours working week. As a consequence of the vote this matter will be referred to the European Parliament in the near future.
The UK Government spokesman on this matter, Lord Mandelson, has been reported to have said that the result of the vote in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee was “not surprising in the least”. He has said that the UK Government sees the Opt-out as being essential to the flexibility of the British labour market, and that the Government will “continue to stand firm to protect the Opt-out.”
Unsurprisingly the Committee’s vote has been received with criticism from the CBI, and the Institute of Directors; the latter expressing concern that the removal of the Opt-out would be the last thing that the UK economy needs at the moment, as all businesses are trying to cope with the current economic turndown.
Equally unsurprisingly the TUC has welcomed the Committee’s vote.
The UK Government negotiated the preservation of the Opt-out with the other EU member states earlier this year (see our News item on this subject in June 2008). So, it seems reasonable to assume that the UK Government will lobby strongly in the European Parliament to preserve the Opt-out. However, the future of the Opt-out must be in some doubt at the moment.
Many workers are keen to keep the Opt-out, as it enables them to increase their pay through overtime. Obviously many employers are also keen to preserve the Opt-out, particularly in order to remain competitive in the current challenging economic climate.
We can provide you with an individual Opt-out form for your workers.
If you require an Opt-out form, or need any assistance on the issues raised in this article, please do not hesitate to contact us.