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Brussels, 8 November 2006

Socialist MEPs denounce Council's block on Working Time

Socialist MEPs in the European Parliament were deeply disappointed after EU ministers failed to strike a deal on the crucial Working Time legislation and particularly on the phasing out of the controversial opt-out.

Socialist Group spokesman on employment Stephen Hughes said: "Once again, Ministers missed an opportunity to ensure that European workers are properly protected against the dangers of irregular hours and overwork.

"I call on the forthcoming Presidency to unequivocally commit themselves to improving the health and safety as well as workers' rights of millions of Europeans by finding a way out of the deadlock. Without agreement, the use of terms like "flexicurity" and reconciliation of working and family life are an empty shell so far as workers are concerned", he added.

"We socialists do not agree that the way to increase productivity is to make people work longer for less. There is strong evidence to support the idea that, in fact, shorter working hours and flexible working methods lead to higher productivity. Research shows that staff who put in more than 48 hours a week suffer a higher risk of heart disease, stress related illness and diabetes"

The Spanish Socialist, Alejandro Cercas, responsible for drafting the report on Working Time in the European Parliament underlined that: "the unwillingness to truly consider any formula referring to a possible ending of the opt-out" had been the real stumbling block during the negotiations.

Alejandro Cercas expressed profound disappointment that "neither the Commission nor the Council, in their later proposals, had taken into account the European Parliament's well balanced First Reading report, endorsed by a broad majority of Members".

Said Mr Cercas "we need to continue to press the Council and the Commission in order to fulfil the expectations of the wider public in terms of safeguarding their social rights, health and well-being".