EC threatens UK with work time legal action

UK
employers could be forced to ensure staff work a maximum 48-hour week after the
European Commission threatened legal action to end Britain’s voluntary opt out
of the Working Time Directive.

The
proposed action follows a complaint to the commission by trade union Amicus,
which accused the UK of "unlawfully and inadequately implementing"
the directive to limit working time to 48 hours a week.

Under
the opt-out employees in the UK can choose to work longer than 48 hours.

Amicus’s
Roger Lyons said he hoped the threat of legal proceedings would force the UK to
curb working hours in line with the rest of Europe.

The
CBI is opposed to any changes, which it claims would damage working flexibility
and undermine the UK’s successful economy.

By Ben Willmott

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