Blair Faces Test Of Leadership on Working Time Opt-Out

12.01.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 9th May 2005

Tony Blair faces a big test of his leadership just days after his majority was substantially reduced in the General Election. This week in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Labour MEPs are again threatening to vote to end the individual opt out of the Working Time Directive against the wishes of his Government.

In his report to the Parliament on the Commissions review of the Working Time Directive Mr Cercas the Socialist MEP, is seeking to remove both the individual opt-out and the collective agreement opt-out. Liberal Democrat Employment spokesperson and ALDE shadow rapporteur for the directive Liz Lynne MEP is seeking to amend the report that was passed at committee stage in order to keep the opt-out.

She will be speaking along with MEPs from other parties and member states at a press conference in the Press Briefing room of the European Parliament in Strasbourg at 19:00 (local time), 9th May.

Liz said:

"Labour MEPs are set to deliver Tony Blair another bloody nose on Wednesday by voting against him on the Working Time Directive. Even at this late stage I urge them and members from all groups to reflect on the damage their position will do to agriculture, tourism and catering in particular.

"Of course we have to have safeguards to make sure that the individual opt out is truly voluntary and that workers are not forced to sign it at the same time as the commencement of their employment or as a condition of getting a job.

"That is why I have proposed stringent rules that the company must give the employee a clear statement of rights when they start working for them and there should be a cooling off period of 28 days where the employee can change their mind. I also believe they should have the right to withdraw from the opt-out at anytime after that as long as they give their employer reasonable notice."

ENDS