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| Press releases | Working time opt-out saved

Working time opt-out saved

10 June 2008

The Government has won agreement from EU employment ministers that the UK can keep its opt-out from the 48-hour working week, introduced by the Working Time Directive.

 
But Shoosmiths partner and head of employment Peter Duff said it comes at a cost.

“It is part of a deal that saw the UK compromise its long-held opposition to greater rights for temporary agency workers,“ he said.

“A new European agency workers directive is expected to provide that temps will be entitled to the same terms and conditions as their permanent colleagues after being employed for just 12 weeks. “

Although ministers had failed several times in the past few years to agree a deal on changes to the opt-out, it had appeared to be under serious threat and looked unlikely to survive in its current form, despite the UK's strong opposition to any changes.  Business Secretary John Hutton described the outcome as ‘a very good deal for Britain'.

Businesses can allow themselves a sigh of relief but are not quite at the finishing line yet.  The proposed measures will now be considered by the European Parliament, where it is expected there will be attempts to increase protection for workers further.

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Name: Alastair Gray
Phone: 08700 864096
Email: Alastair.Gray@shoosmiths.co.uk

Get in touch

Peter Duff

Partner
T: 08700 86 5049
I: +44 (0)115 906 5049
E: peter.duff@shoosmiths.co.uk