MEPs threaten UK opt-out on working week restrictions

Article previews a vote in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, 4-5 November 2008 on a proposed Directive amending the Directive 2003/88/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time. There is disagreement between the European Parliament and the Council on important details - these refer to the definitions of the working time and on-call time; opt out clause and reconciliation between working life with family life

ESO: Background information: Ministers fear losing working hours opt-out http://www.europeansources.info/record/ministers-fear-losing-working-hours-opt-out/

European Parliament: Employment and Social Affairs Committee http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/homeCom.do;jsessionid=973F1EFC046AE52296ABC39A2EDFE835.node1?language=EN&body=EMPL

European Parliament: Employment and Social Affairs Committee: Meeting documents for 4.11.08 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/organes/empl/empl_20081104_1500.htm

European Parliament: Press Release, 5.11.08: Limiting the maximum working week to 48 hours http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/048-41251-308-11-45-908-20081103IPR41250-03-11-2008-2008-false/default_en.htm

BBC News, 5.11.08: MEPs target working week opt-out http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7711415.stm

CBI: Press Release, 5.11.08: CBI Comments on Brussels vote on working time http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/press.nsf/0363c1f07c6ca12a8025671c00381cc7/60f7a495fda8b75f802574f800583c8e?OpenDocument

TUC: Press Release, 5.11.08: TUC welcomes decision to scrap opt-out from 48 hour week http://www.tuc.org.uk/work_life/tuc-15566-f0.cfm

EurActiv, 21.10.08: MEPs set for clash on working time directive http://www.euractiv.com/en/socialeurope/meps-set-clash-working-time-directive/article-176560

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