28/04/2009 - UK keeps opt-out from 48-hour week
The UK will keep the opt-out from Europe's 48-hour working week in place after seeing off efforts to phase it out.
The opt-out, which was once only defended by the UK but is now used by 14 other EU states, enables UK workers to work more than the 48-hours set out in the Working Time Directive.
Talks between EU government officials and MEPs failed to reach an agreement in Brussels meaning the opt-out continues.
Employment relations minister Pat McFadden said: "We refused to be pushed into a bad deal for Britain. We have said consistently that we will not give up the opt-out and we have delivered on that pledge.
"Everyone has the right to basic protections surrounding the hours that they work, but it is also important that they have the right to choose those hours."
A majority of MEPs argue that the opt-out allows employers to exploit workers who need the protection of a fixed maximum permitted number of working hours.
But talks failed to break the deadlock and as a result the deadline to scrap the opt-out was missed.
Instead governments will offer a maximum working week of 65-hours in return for keeping the right.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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