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04/07/2003
TUC welcomes EU directive for reducing excessive hours
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has welcomed the introduction of a new EU directive which is set reduce excessive working hours for key employees and offer new working time and holiday rights.
The Working Time Horizontal Amending Directive regulations, which are published today, will set new guidelines for transport workers, offshore workers and junior doctors and will come into force on August 1.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said it was "good news" for the 350,000 workers who had no protection from excessive working days.
He added: "But it's unfortunate that junior doctors, workers in the North Sea, and transport staff have had to wait five years longer than most for these rights.
"There is also no guarantee that workers will see the benefits of the new protections as under the UK opt-out to the working time rules it is far too easy for employers to pressure staff to work more than 48 hours a week.
"If the government is serious about ending the UK's long hours culture, it should end the UK's working time opt-out when it is reviewed this autumn."
(GMcG)
The Working Time Horizontal Amending Directive regulations, which are published today, will set new guidelines for transport workers, offshore workers and junior doctors and will come into force on August 1.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said it was "good news" for the 350,000 workers who had no protection from excessive working days.
He added: "But it's unfortunate that junior doctors, workers in the North Sea, and transport staff have had to wait five years longer than most for these rights.
"There is also no guarantee that workers will see the benefits of the new protections as under the UK opt-out to the working time rules it is far too easy for employers to pressure staff to work more than 48 hours a week.
"If the government is serious about ending the UK's long hours culture, it should end the UK's working time opt-out when it is reviewed this autumn."
(GMcG)
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