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Liz Lynne MEP Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands |
| www.lordsreformday.org.uk - 981 days and counting | <liz@lizlynne.org.uk> | 2nd December 2008 |
Lib Dem slams Labour MEPs for voting to drop working time opt-out1.33.35pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 22nd Jan 2004
Today at the European Parliament MEPs voted on the European Commission's consultation on the EU Working Time Directive - legislation that regulates the working hours of European employees. The Commission asked MEPs if they thought workers should continue to have the right to opt-out from a maximum 48-hour week, as current legislation allows. After arguing that the opt-out is open to abuse by employers, UK Labour MEPs and European Socialists voted to drop the clause. West Midlands Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne said, "By signalling that they wish to see this clause go, Labour MEPs have broken ranks with their own government's supposed commitment to a flexible labour market and a competitive UK economy. "Of course there must be adequate provision against workers opting out under duress, but this is not best achieved by removing the opt-out altogether" She Said "I believe we should maintain the opt-out for the sake of European competitiveness, as well as for less well paid workers who rely on the opt-out to make up earnings through overtime. What needs to be done is to make sure that whatever it is used to, the opt-out is truly voluntary, and protects the best interests of workers" ENDS NOTE TO EDITORS: Liz Lynne MEP is ELDR shadow rapporteur on the European Commission's Consultation on the organisation of working time. For further information, comment or to book an interview, please telephone Liz Lynne on 0032 2284 7521 (Brussels) or 077644 52725 (mobile) or Press Officer Stuart Ritchie on 01789 266354.
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Related News Stories:Wed 5th Nov 2008: UK's opt out of the EU 48 hour week scrapped by Socialist MEPs. Tue 10th Jun 2008: GOVERNMENT MUST NOW REIGN IN LABOUR MEPs ON WORKING TIME AND TEMPORARY AGENCIES . Tue 14th Nov 2006: LIB DEM MEPs PUSH FOR BETTER RURAL FUNDING DEAL. Wed 7th Dec 2005: Working Time Directive Opt-out Must Be Kept - Liz Lynne. Wed 11th May 2005: Labour MEPs Blinded By Ideology On Working Time . Mon 9th May 2005: Blair Faces Test Of Leadership on Working Time Opt-Out. Wed 20th Apr 2005: MEPs Vote To Scrap Working Time Opt-Out . Tue 19th Apr 2005: Working Time Directive Opt-out Must Be Kept. Wed 22nd Sep 2004: LIB DEMS ATTACK EUROPEAN COMMISSION PLANS ON WORKING TIME RULES. Wed 11th Feb 2004: Lib Dem slams 'Old Labour' MEPs for voting to ditch working time opt-out. Published and promoted by Liz Lynne MEP, 55 Ely Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6LN. The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider. |