Press Release: Working Time: Commission agrees to extend time for social partners’ negotiations on reviewing EU rules

The European Commission has agreed to a joint proposal from the European social partners to extend the negotiating period on reviewing the Working Time Directive to 31 December 2012, given that their negotiations are making progress.

The Commission consulted the European social partners during 2010 about possible changes to the Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC). Under Article 154 of the TFEU (Treaty on the Functioning of the EU), the Commission must consult with management and labour at EU level before proposing any changes to EU social legislation, including EU labour law. Under Article 154(4) TFEU, the EU level social partners have the right, if the employer and worker representatives so agree, to enter negotiations themselves on what changes should be made.