The
DTI has taken the first steps to extend the Working Time Directive to more than
770,000 employees in previously excluded sectors.
A
public consultation on the draft provisions will run for 12 weeks, with
responses required by the end of January.
Employment
minister Alan Johnson said he wanted to protect more workers, but at the same
time ensure that employers could cope with the changes.
Regulations
in the directive mean employers must offer staff an average 48-hour week, 11
hours rest between working weeks and a 20-minute rest break if the working day
exceeds six hours.
Some
of the previously excluded workers include:
•
junior doctors
•
workers in the rail and offshore sectors
•
certain aviation workers
