WILL PARLIAMENT WAKE UP TO TIRED WORKING TIME RULES?

London's Green MEP sees end to the opt-out as an historic workers' rights opportunity

6 May 2005

Ahead of Wednesday's vote on revision of the Working Time Directive, Jean Lambert will reconfirm her opposition to the controversial "opt-out" - a stance that no other major party will take, despite clear evidence that long hours compromise health and safety. She will also call for the definition of on-call time to be strengthened so that it is classed as working time - in line with recent ECJ rulings.

Jean Lambert is Green MEP for London where people work the longest hours in the UK. Speaking ahead of the vote Mrs Lambert stated "Unlike the other parties, the Greens have consistently opposed the UK opt-out of the 48 hour week. This is because of the clear evidence that long hours seriously compromise workers health and safety and that the so called voluntary opt-out has been abused in the UK. An astonishing two thirds of UK employees are unaware that there is a legal limit to the working week. I will only vote for a report which finally sees an end to this damaging get out clause."

"On the issue of on-call time, let's give workers their due! Pilots on-call can not freely dispose of their time, they must remain close to the airport, they can not consume certain products and must be ready to report to duty within 15 minutes of receiving the call - all this for an un-interrupted period of 20 days! Yet they are entrusted with the safety of hundreds of travellers. I want to ensure that such workers are fairly compensated for time on call and where they do work erratic and stressful hours, they must be allowed sufficient rest periods as soon as is feasibly possible."

She added "We would be crazy to let this opportunity to end the opt-out slide now - it is already creeping into Europe's health sector - potentially resulting in over-tired hospital staff who have vital responsibilities."

ENDS

Notes for editors:
1. Jean Lambert will speak at the European Parliament's working time press conference on Monday evening and in the Parliamentary Debate on Tuesday.
2. The opt-out is a clause which enables workers to voluntary "opt out" of the 48 hour week but is widely believed to be open to abuse by employees.
3. Long working hours can cause high blood pressure, diabetes and psychological problems.
4. For further information see Jean Lambert's report - Flexible Working which is available on her website www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk.
5. The Greens and Plaid Cymru have consistently opposed the opt-out.

Press contacts: Strasbourg +33 (0) 3881 77507, +33 (0) 3881 74375 dconnon@europarl.eu.int (Damian Connon).

UK: +44(0) 20 7407 6269 (Danny Bates).