Greens strike historic blow for workers' rights
10 May 2005
Greens "are delighted" to have helped push through historic workers' rightslegislation, which will impose a 48 hr limit on the British working week - inthe face of opposition from every other major UK party.
This morning, Green MEPs voted in the European Parliament to adopt workingtime legislation that ends Britain's 10yr "opt-out"(1) of the EU WorkingTime Directive. This has allowed British employers to waiver the EU 48hrlimitson the working week. Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London and GreenCo-ordinator for the Committee for Employment and Social Affairs, comments: "TheGreen vote represents a clear opposition to British long hours culture, whichposes a clear threat to workers health and safety."
"Unlike the other parties, Greens have consistently voted against the optout clause in the European parliament, and we are delighted that Britainwill no longer be able to opt out of letting its workers work reasonablehours.
She continues: "Clear evidence suggests that the so called "voluntary"opt-out has been abused by UK employers, and that long hours seriouslycompromise workers' health and wellbeing, yet Greens were the only major UKparty to consistently vote agains the opt-out clause."
Removal of Choice
Commenting on the other parties' arguments that removal of the clause takes"choice" away from employers, Jean Lambert states: "Figures from the TUCshow that only one third of employees working longer than 48 hours have evenbeen asked to sign the opt-out. Clearly choice lies not with the employeebut with the employer. This fact was recognised by some brave Labour MEPs inthis morning's vote, but they voted against the Government's line!"
Health and Safety
She continues: "Research has shown that long working hours can lead to highblood pressure and diabetes (2). The Working Time Directive is thereforeclearly a Health and Safety Directive, and that has been recognised by theEuropean Commission and the Courts. We do not tolerate opt-outs in otherHealth and Safety Directives so why have we treated this Directivedifferently?"
She concludes: " Greens have long recognised that if we want a vibrantsociety with active citizens and engagement in community life, we mustaddress Britain's long hour's culture which is why we have consistantlyopposed the opt out."
"Today's vote is a victory for workers' rights."
EDITORS NOTES:(1) The Working Time directive opt out clause allows member states toignore the 48-hour weekly maximum where workers give their consent.(2) Long working hours can cause high blood pressure, diabetes andpsychological problems. For further information see Jean Lambert'sreport - Flexible Working which is available on her websitewww.jeanlambertmep.org.uk.
